NO CHANGE IN TOP COURT BAN ON COCKFIGHTS
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any fresh order to stop cockfights in AP. The bench, comprising Chief Jus-tice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, declined to pass any fresh order when it was submitted that the High Court direction in this regard was not being followed.
An urgent petition was filed by Ms Gauri Maullekhi on behalf of the Animal Welfare Board seeking fresh orders to the AP government as cockfights were being organised in the state unabated, flouting the ban ordered by the High Court.
The bench declined to entertain the petition, stating that there was no need for an urgent hearing of the matter.
Last week, the Supreme Court had upheld the High Court decision of December 26, 2016, to ban cockfights in AP. The court had directed the AP government to ensure that no cockfights took place during Sankranti.
Mindful of severe legal implications, cockfight organisers are making arrangements to conduct cockfights for three days at remote locations to avoid police checks.
Fight organisers generally prep 12 types of cocks for Sankranti fights. Venues chosen include distant locations of Repalle, Tenali, Bapatla and other districts — for hassle-free cockfights, away from law enforcement. The fights are also planned with the help of individuals with political clout.
The court had permitted people to organise traditional cockfights without knives or betting. The delta areas of Kolluru, Bhattiprolu, Nizampatnam and Repalle mandals were removed as venues. Instead, remote locations across Palnadu — such as Gurazala, Piduguralla, Pedakurapadu, Rajupalem and Sattenapalli have been turned into cockfighting arenas.
Cockfights being held at remote locations are attracting punters from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, Guntur and other major cities.
Organisers are even luring punters by offering cashless payments and mobile payments — including Paytm platforms. This is besides the liquor, sumptuous food and car-parking facilities being offered at cockfight arenas — locally known as ‘Barulu’.
Telugu Desam leaders, on condition of anonymity, said committees were organised for these cockfights. These committees are responsible for all arrangements — including “handling” police officials. “The winners of every round have to pay 10 per cent of their winnings to the committee. They also have to pay an entry fee, so TD leaders are now involved in the cockfights as they are very lucrative,” a source said.
Organisers said that on Friday, lakhs of rupees were bet on cock fights and the bets would reach crores by Sankranti days of Saturday and Sunday.