New Delhi, Aug 21 - A city court Friday ordered the release of 48 birds seized from two men who were arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act five years ago.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sunil Chaudhary ordered that the birds be set free in their natural habitat after being provided with medical treatment.

Police sought permission to release the birds as seven of them died Thursday while being produced in the court.

The investigating officer said there was no government facility for providing treatment to the birds in the national capital.

The two accused, Mohsin Ali and Shafiq, were arrested in 2004 from Jama Masjid here with the birds.