Madras High Court
Ramadass vs The District Collector on 28 April, 2025
W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 28.04.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL
W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025
Ramadass : Petitioner
Vs.
1.The District Collector,
District Collector's Office,
Tirunelveli.
2.The Superintendent of Police
Superintendent of Police Office,
Tirunelveli.
3.The Inspector of Police
Eruvadi Police Station,
Eruvadi Police Circle,
Tirunelveli.
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W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025
4.The Sub Inspector of Police
Thirukkurungudi Police Station,
Tirunelveli.
5.The Assistant Director
Veterinary Hospital Campus,
Cheranmahadevi. : Respondents
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, praying for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the
records pertaining to the impugned order passed in Na.Ka.en.
01/se.mu.aa/va.kaa.aa/ervadi/2025, dated 13.04.2025, by the third
respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the
respondents to grant permission for conducting Rooster fighting on
04.05.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.Mohammed Rashid
For Respondent Nos.1
&5 : Mr.M.Senthil Ayyanar
Government Advocate
For Respondents 2 to 4 : Mr.S.S.Manoj,
Government Advocate
(Criminal Side)
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W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner on 22.04.2025 under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to quash the impugned order passed by the third respondent in Na.Ka.en. 01/se.mu.aa/va.kaa.aa/ervadi/2025, dated 13.04.2025 and consequently to direct the respondents to grant permission for conducting Rooster Fighting (Cock Fighting) on 04.05.2025 near Mavadi Water Tank.
2. The petitioner filed an affidavit in support of the petition, stating that he resides at Door No.86/2, North Street, Ramachandira Puram, Mavadi, Tirunelveli District, and works as a daily wage labourer. Further, the petitioner and the villagers have been collectively organizing various welfare programmes for the public, underprivileged individuals, and students for many years. They have also conducted sports competitions and cultural events for children, including during the recent Pongal festival. The petitioner and the villagers planned to conduct a Rooster fighting (Cock Fighting) on 04.05.2025. Accordingly, the petitioner submitted a representation to the respondents seeking permission to conduct the event on that date. However, the request was rejected by the third respondent. 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/05/2025 08:13:11 pm ) W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025 Hence, this petition.
3. Mr.A.Mohamed Rashid, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner and his villagers planned to organize a Rooster Fighting (Cock Fighting) competition on 04.05.2025, from 08:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m., as part of the International Workers’ Day (World Labourers’ Day) celebrations. He further submits that approximately 150 roosters and their owners from various parts of Tamil Nadu, including Tirunelveli and surrounding areas, are expected to participate in the said event. He further submits that the event will be conducted with referees, medical first aid facilities for both the public and the roosters, and in strict adherence to the guidelines issued by this Hon’ble Court in W.P. No. 31415 of 2017. He further submits that the event will be organized without any caste or religious bias, without causing any disturbance to the public, and in full cooperation with the Police Department. He further submits that the Rooster Fighting (Cock Fighting) competition is proposed to be held in the vacant area near the Mavadi water tank and the petitioner also proposes to install sound and lighting systems for the event, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation to the respondents on 4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/05/2025 08:13:11 pm ) W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025 26.03.2025. However, the same was rejected by way of the impugned order in Na.Ka.En.01/Se.Mu.Aa/Va.Kaa.Aa/Ervadi/2025, dated 13.04.2025, on the grounds that the event may lead to gambling, possible clashes among the people, and traffic congestion. He further submits that the Rooster Fighting (Cock Fighting) is a traditional practice with cultural significance. He also points out that in the year 2023, the respondent-Police had granted permission for a similar event. Thus, without any valid reason, the third respondent has now declined permission to conduct the event. Accordingly, he prays for the quashing of the impugned order and for a direction to the respondents to grant permission to conduct the Rooster Fighting (Cock Fighting) event on 04.05.2025 in connection with Labourers’ Day.
4. Per contra, Mr.S.S.Manoj, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for respondents 2 to 4, submits that if permission is granted, there is a likelihood of betting and gambling activities taking place. He further submits that the event leads to a law and order issue and may also lead to traffic congestion, thereby causing inconvenience to the general public. Hence, he prays that the impugned 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/05/2025 08:13:11 pm ) W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025 order be sustained.
5. This Court has considered the submissions made on either side.
6. There is no material filed before this Court to establish that the Rooster Fighting (Cock Fighting) has any cultural significance. In the absence of such material, this Court is of the view that the Rooster Fighting (Cock Fighting) is illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 [in short “PCA Act, 1960”]. “Rooster” falls within the definition of “animal” as per Section 2(a) of the PCA Act, 1960. It is pertinent to note that “rooster fighting” (cockfighting) constitutes a cruel act inflicted by humans, resulting in harm to birds, and is punishable under Sections 11(1)(m)(ii) and 11(1)(n) of the said Act. Further, this Court is of the considered opinion that if permission is granted, there is a likelihood of gambling activities taking place, traffic congestion occurring, and law and order issues arising.
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7. There is no merit in this Writ Petition and the same stands dismissed. No costs 28.04.2025 Index :Yes / No Internet : Yes / No NCC : Yes/No TSG To
1.The District Collector, District Collector's Office, Tirunelveli.
2.The Superintendent of Police Superintendent of Police Office, Tirunelveli.
3.The Inspector of Police Eruvadi Police Station, Eruvadi Police Circle, Tirunelveli.
4.The Sub Inspector of Police Thirukkurungudi Police Station, Tirunelveli.
5.The Assistant Director Veterinary Hospital Campus, Cheranmahadevi.
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TSG W.P.(MD)No.11611 of 2025 28.04.2025 8/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/05/2025 08:13:11 pm )