HC gets furious over AP’s inaction to stall cockfights HC FINDS PROOF OF PREM SAGAR’S ROLE IN ADIVASI STIR

Expressing anger at the failure of authorities in preventing cockfights in coastal districts, the Hyderabad High Court on Monday directed the AP Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to appear before it on January 29 to explain why they had not filed the action taken report sought by the court.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice M. Ganga Rao was dealing with a public interest litigation filed by Mr Kalidindi Ramchandra Raju of West Godavari district, on the inaction of the officials in curbing unauthorised gaming, illegal sale of liquor and prostitution during the Sankranti festival at VempaSrirampuram villages of the district.

The bench said that the authorities had made mockery of the court order which was granted in December 2016, directing that cockfights shall not be allowed anywhere of the state.

The court said the entire world had viewed on television the cockfights organised in the state that too in the presence of elected representatives. The bench said that it appeared that the authorities had not taken the court order seriously, which was most unfortunate.

Ms Vidyavathi and Ms Jayanthi, counsels of the AP government, said they had received details from the Chief Secretary and the DGP and sought time to file comprehensive reports.

Reacting to this, the bench said, “On January 4, this court clearly directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to file the action taken report on January 22. Without filing the reports, they have violated the order dated January 4.”

The bench told the AP counsels: “If you’re in a hapless position inform the court and the court will tackle the issue.”

Ms Jayanthi submitted that the government has moved the Supreme Court seeking to amend its order granted earlier with regard to cockfights and it had remanded the matter to the HC.

When government counsels said the CS and DGP could not file the reports in view of the collectors conference on January 18 and 19, the bench said that they were not concerned with that conference. Expressing displeasure at the attitude of the authorities, the bench directed the CS and DGP to appear before it. The Hyderabad High Court on Monday opined that there was prima facie evidence against Congress leader and former MLC K. Prem Sagar Rao of alleged incitement of members of the Adivasi community against those of the Lambadas.

Justice T. Rajani while hearing the plea of former MLC seeking anticipatory bail studied the evidence and statements produced by the police and felt that prima facie Mr Rao had extended financial support to the Adivasis in their agitations to secure the deletion of the Lambadas community from the list of Scheduled Tribes.

The judge directed public prosecutor Pratap Reddy to furnish the statements and other records to the petitioner’s counsel.

Mr Vedula Venkat Ramana, senior counsel appearing for Mr Rao, submitted that the police had issued 25 FIRs against him on charges of inciting violence against Lambadas at various police stations.

Justice Rajani made the interim order following the plea filed by Mr Rao, who informed the court regarding the FIRs.

The public prosecutor submitted that the former MLC was instrumental in the attacks on Lambadas and extended financial support to the Adivasis and police had collected evidence and statements of witnesses which proved that the former MLC had a role in the violence. The judge posted the case to January 25.