Supreme Court has refused to stay the Hyderabad High Court banning the cockfight on the occasion of Sankranthi festival and any other occasion during the year. Admitting a writ petition filed by one Ramakrishnam Raju challenging the recent High Court order the Supreme Court issued a notice but refused to made any amends to the High Court order on the issue of ban in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
However the Supreme Court stayed the joint searches by the government officials and the NGOs to search any place suspected of being used for cockfights.
The HC had authorises the joint inspection teams to enter any premises and seize roosters intended to be used for cockfights and Confiscate any instruments used in such fights.
HC imposed the ban after hearing a batch of petitions filed by a group of NGOs on the ground of cruelty to animals. However, as per the order of the Honorable High Court at Hyderabad, the joint inspection teams shall be constituted and shall, with support from the
district administration, prevent cockfights and seize instruments to be used for cockfights as well money intended for betting.
Cockfights, with or without katti/knives remains prohibited by this order and by Section 11(1)(m)(ii) & (n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Further, strict action against organisers and participants of cockfights and disciplinary action against erring officials to be complied.