No cockfights in Andhra Pradesh as SC refuses to pass any order on ban

Cockfights are a popular sport played in AP during the Sankranti festivities.

Update: 2017-01-13 05:51 GMT
Representational Image.

New Delhi: Cockfights continue to remain banned in Andhra Pradesh as the Supreme Court on Friday declined to pass any order on the matter. Cockfights are a popular sport played in the state during the Sankranti festivities.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud declined to pass the order when it was submitted that the Andhra Pradesh High Court direction in this regard is not being followed.

The fresh plea of activist Gauri Maullekhi was mentioned by senior advocate Siddharth Lights who said the HC order banning cockfights in the state is not being followed by the state administration. "The request is declined," the bench said.

Cockfights are popular in Andhra Pradesh during the Sankranti festival. Betting worth crores of rupees takes place during the traditional sport.

Only last Friday, the top court had upheld the Hyderabad High Court order prohibiting cockfights, and had refused to stay the ban on the ‘sport’.

However, the apex court had ordered the release of all roosters intended to be used in cockfights and seized by authorities.

In his petition, BJP leader K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju said that roosters are generally reared by a few farmers as part of tradition and sought directions from the apex court on seizure of such roosters by Police and other official machinary.

The SC said that police and other officials need not seize the roosters, but they could seize instruments like katti (knife) which is used in cockfights.

In cockfighting, the birds often wear the katti, which are razor-sharp blades on their legs. If the cocks do not have knives tied to their legs during a fight, the game is likely to go on for hours and there is no clear winner or loser, In the end, it leaves the audience with sights of severely wounded birds.

The knives tied to the birds legs make all  the difference as the game is complete in just a few minutes.

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