HC seeks state’s reply on bull fight

SHIMLA: The High Court today issued notices to the state government on the issue of bull fight organised during the Sair Fair in Mashobra on September 16. Issuing notice, a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Sharma directed the state to file a reply.

Despite ban, a bull fight was held at the Sair fair in Mashobra, 15 km from Shimla. File photo

Tribune Reporters

Shimla, September 20

The High Court today issued notices to the state government on the issue of bull fight organised during the Sair Fair in Mashobra on September 16.

Issuing notice, a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Sharma directed the state to file a reply.

The court passed this order on a letter written to the Chief Justice alleging that despite ban imposed by the court, bull fight took place during the fair on last Saturday. The court treated it as a Public Interest Litigation petition and sought response from the state.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists have taken a serious note of the bull fight organised during the Sair Fair at Mashobra near Shimla by locals in violation of court orders and demanded stringent action against the organisers.

“The organisers have been booked for non-cognizable offences in an FIR registered against some persons on September 16 for violation of Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, whereas The Tribune newspaper had published the picture of bull fight for identification of the offenders,” said Sukanya Kadyan Berwal in her complaint filed with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Urging the police to identify the persons involved in arranging the bull fight, she said Sections 188, 120-B, 268, 289, 428, 429 read with Section 3, 11 and 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, need to be added in the FIR followed by the arrest of the organisers, along with promoters and participants.

Naresh Kadyan, master trainer, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), and representative of the Organisation for Animal Protection in India had spoken to ASI Bhagirathi and supplied him images to identify the offenders and asked him to impose correct sections but he told to speak to the SP. So the AWBI may take cognizance and issue strict directions.

The Shimla police registered an FIR against fair organisers even though the Mashobra police station staff refused to divulge details of the FIR, the complaint added.

Taking note of the reluctance of the police in taking action, Shimla DC Rohan Chand Thakur had ordered an inquiry into the incident but animal activists are skeptical whether the police would make any arrests.