The Madras High Court Bench here has directed the Thanjavur Collector to permit cock fight at a temple festival in Pattukottai.
According to G. Manickam, the petitioner, the Collector did not consider his representation seeking permission to conduct the cock fight in a public place as part of Kaliyamman temple festival.
The petitioner contended that the village conducted cock fight for several years, and there had been no law and order problems.
The cock fight was scheduled this year on June 29 and 30, he said. He had given the representation on May 22. But, it was not considered, he added.
A division bench comprising Justices N. Paul Vasanthakumar and P. Devadass directed the Collector to permit the villagers to conduct the cock fight, under the supervision of the Town Inspector of police and the local veterinary doctor.
The judges further instructed the doctor to ensure that the cocks were not intoxicated, no knifes were tied to their legs and that they did not sustain any injury during the fight.
