With the High Court pulling up officials over the inaction against the public representatives who participated in the banned rooster fights, the police are reportedly planning to book cases against those who defied the court orders.
During the Sankranthi festivities, the High Court, acting on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), banned the bloodsport and directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to implement the orders strictly.
The revenue, police, animal husbandry and other departments conducted awareness programmes against the fights and constituted village, mandal and district-level committees to stop them.
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They erected banners on the High Court orders against cockfights and the action to be taken for participation in many villages.
However, leaders of various political parties inaugurated the game and a few participated openly which was telecast and published in some electronic and print media organisations.
The police, who registered about 3,200 cases against the organisers, punters and bettors across the State, did not file cases against the public representatives in any district.
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1,000 arrested
According to official sources, 925 cases were booked and 903 persons arrested in East Godavari. In West Godavari, 634 cases were booked and 2,728 persons were arrested. In Krishna district, 1,000 persons were arrested in 1,010 cases.
The Vijayawada Commissionerate police booked 71 cases and arrested 700 persons.
Names submitted
With the High Court pursuing the matter seriously, the officials went through the footage aired by private channels and on Tuesday submitted the names of the participants in the court.
According to the police, one MP, six MLAs, two MLCs and many other leaders participated in East and West Godavari and Krishna districts.
The government is reportedly planning to book cases against the public representatives.
“We have not received any instructions on filing of fresh cases against the accused. Our officers are taking legal opinion,” a police officer said.