A fortune teller in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, was momentarily detained for possessing parrots as pets. The District Forest Police took action in response to a video that went viral online showing the fortune teller, identified as Selvaraj, prophesying Thangar Bachan, the candidate for the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) Cuddalore constituency, winning the election.

Along with the fortune teller, his brother was also taken into custody.

Upon the directions of the fortune teller, the parrot could be seen coming out of a cage and picking cards bearing an image of the deity the politician had worshipped hours before.

The fortune teller then declared Bachan’s victory in the upcoming polls.

Happy with the prediction, the PMK candidate went on to feed the parrot with a banana.

As the video gained popularity, the forest police arrested the fortune teller and his brother for caging the parrots.

Both were later released on a warning.

According to Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), caging birds is illegal as they are categorised under wild animals and are thus protected under the act.

Read More