W.P.No.3454 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated: 31.01.2025 Coram: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN W.P.No.3454 of 2025 -- K.Saravanan .. Petitioner Vs. 1. The Superintendent of Police, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur. 2. The Inspector of Police, Mappedu Police Station, Tiruvallur District. .. Respondents Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to grant permission and Police protection for conducting cock fight on 1st and 2nd days of March 2025 in Keelacheri Village, situated in Kadambathur Block, Thiruvallur Taluk, Thiruvallur Distrct, by considering the petitioner's representation, dated 21.01.2025. For petitioner : Mr.D.Bennington For respondents: Mr.S.Sugendran, Addl.P.P. ORDER The petitioner has filed the above Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to grant permission and Police protection for conducting cock fight on 1st and 2nd days of March 2025 in Keelacheri Village, situated in Kadambathur Block, Thiruvallur Taluk, Thiruvallur District, by considering the petitioner's representation, Page No. 1 / 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3454 of 2025 dated 21.01.2025. 2. According to the petitioner, he has interest in traditional games of Tamil Nadu and hence, he is interested in cock fight festival. The cock-fight is one of the ancient games of Tamil Culture. It is more or less akin to boxing among humans and no knife will be tied on the legs of the cocks. The victory of cock so trained purely depends upon the cock who trains them. There is no difference between boxing which is admitted as sport and is included in the Olympics and cock-fight between cocks. The cock fight between cocks is under the supervision of humans, now, in boxing head gear for protection of head from the blow of the opponent, which is to be compulsorily worn by the contestants. Now, cocks are not equipped with thin knives tied to the legs. The protective measures prevent mortal injury being caused to the cocks. Only trained cocks will be allowed to fight with each other during certain period of time. In the near-by villages like R.K.Pettai and Pallipattu, cock fight is traditionally held every year on 17th, 18th and 19th of January during Pongal festival and as per the part of Pongal celebrations. The petitioner has decided to conduct cock-fight game on 1st and 2nd of March 2025 in Keelacheri Village situated in Kadambathur Block, Thiruvallur Taluk, Thiruvallur District. The petitioner had sent a representation, dated 21.01.2025 to the respondents seeking permission to conduct cock fight competition. Previously, the petitioner had conducted the cock-fight programme in the same place and dates in the year 2019 and 2023. In the year 2023, since the respondents have not granted permission to conduct the cock-fight programme, the petitioner approached this Court in W.P.No.1180 of 2023 and this Court allowed the said Writ Petition on 08.02.2023 with certain terms and conditions. Page No. 2 / 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3454 of 2025 3. Accordingly, the present Writ Petition is disposed of, with a direction to the respondent to consider the said representation, dated 21.01.2025 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within 48 hours of receipt of this order, and the petitioner is directed to follow the following directions in the cock-fight event: (i) Such an event shall be supervised by the respondents as well as the Veterinary Doctor of near-by Government Veterinary Hospital. (ii) During the course of conducting cock-fight, there should not be any injury to be caused to the birds and the birds should not be intoxicated with any alcoholic substance and no knives should be tied around the legs of the birds, with the tip of the knives dipped in poisonous substances. The Veterinary Doctor shall ensure the same before the actual starting of the event. (iii) The petitioner shall bear the expenses towards Police protection as well as the expenses towards the Veterinary Doctor. (iv) The organiser should take precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident while conducting the event of cock-fight. (v) Songs praising communal leader or having communal overtones should not be played. (vi) The petitioner will ensure that no flex board or hoardings depicting particular community or leader is displayed. (vii) The petitioner volunteers to donate a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) to Andhra Mahila Sabha, Iswari Prasad Dattatreya Orthopaedic Centre, Page No. 3 / 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3454 of 2025 Chennai, and payment of proof shall be produced before the respondents. (viii) No one is allowed to enter the arena, except the owner of the birds which are going to participate in the event. (ix) Separate place has to be allocated for the spectators. (x) According to the conditions, eligible birds are only allowed to participate in the event. If there is any certain objections being raised, it is to be taken to the concerned Police Station to take a decision. (xi) Neither the petitioner nor any of the parties/participants shall indulge in any gambling activities. (xii) All the above conditions should be followed scrupulously by the petitioner and the petitioner shall file an affidavit of undertaking to the said effect before the respondents. 4. It is made clear that the aforesaid conditions shall be strictly followed during the event and if there is any violation, it is open to the respondents-Police to take action immediately in accordance with law. 5. With the above observations/directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 31.01.2025 cs Page No. 4 / 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3454 of 2025 To 1. The Superintendent of Police, Tiruvallur District, Tiruvallur. 2. The Inspector of Police, Mappedu Police Station, Tiruvallur District. 3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. Page No. 5 / 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3454 of 2025 P.VELMURUGAN, J cs W.P.No.3454 of 2025 31.01.2025 Page No. 6 / 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis