Bhaskaran v. The District Collector

O R D E R This Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed to quash the order passed by the 3rd respondent, dated 25.09.2025, thereby rejected the request made by the petitioner for conducting "Cock Fight (Seval Sandai)" and consequently, to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's request afresh in accordance with law and grant necessary permission and police protection to the petitioner for conducting "Cock Fight (Seval Sandai)" on

17.10.2025, 18.10.2025 and 19.10.2025, between 9.00 a.m and 6.00 p.m., at Kullampalayam, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District, subject to the conditions may be imposed by this Court.

¶2Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶3Though the dates fixed for conducting "Cock Fight (Seval Sandai)" got expired, the petitioner seeks police protection to conduct Cock Fight in any of the Saturday and Sunday by coming next week. The petitioner also filed additional affidavit seeking permission and police protection to conduct "Cock Fight (Seval Sandai)" in the last week of July, 2026.

¶4In view of the above, the petitioner is directed to submit a fresh representation to the 3rd respondent seeking police protection by mentioning specific dates to conduct "Cock Fight (Seval Sandai)". On receipt of the such representation, the 3rd respondent is directed to grant permission and give police bandobust to the petitioner and his group of persons, who are the organisers of Festival Celebrations for conducting "Cock Fight (Seval Sandai)" on the specified dates to be mentioned by the petitioner in his representation between 09.00 am and 06.00 pm at Kullampalayam, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District by imposing the following conditions: "(i)It is made clear that such an event shall be supervised by the first respondent as well as by the Veterinary Doctor of nearby Government Veterinary Hospital.

(ii)It is further made clear that 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)It is made clear that the organiser should take precautionary measures 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) All the above terms and conditions should be followed scrupulously by the petitioner and the petitioner shall file an affidavit of undertaking to the said effect before the third respondent.

(viii) The petitioner volunteers to donate a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten Thousand only) to any one of the Orphanages in the District and payment of proof shall be produced before the third respondent.

(ix) No one is allowed to enter, except the owner of the Birds which are going to participate in the event.

(x) There is a separate place allocated for the spectators.

(xii) According to the conditions, eligible birds are only allowed to participate in the event. If there is any certain objections being raised, it is taken to the concerned police office to take a decision."

¶5It is made clear that the aforesaid conditions shall be strictly followed by the petitioner and his group in all the festival days and in the entire function between 9.00 am and 06.00 pm and if any violation of these conditions is reported, the 3rd respondent police are at liberty to take appropriate action against the petitioner and his group in accordance with law.

¶6With these observations and directions, this Writ Petition (Criminal) is disposed of. No costs.

07.07.2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order dm To

1.The District Collector, Collectorate Office, Erode District.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Superintendent Office, Erode District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Gobichettipalayam Police Station, Gobichettipalayam.

4.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District.

5.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai. G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN

, J.

dm

07.07.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 07.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN Bhaskaran … Petitioner vs. 1.The District Collector, Collectorate Office, Erode District. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Superintendent Office, Erode District. 3.The Inspector of Police, Gobichettipalayam Police Station, Gobichettipalayam. 4.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District. … Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the order of the 3rd respondent dated 25.09.2025, quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's request afresh in accordance with law, and grant necessary permission and police protection to the petitioner for conducting "Cock Fight (Seval Sandai)" on 17.10.2025, 18.10.2025 and 19.10.2025, between 9.00 a.m and 6.00 p.m., at Kullampalayam, Gobichettipalayam Taluk, Erode District, subject to such conditions as this Court may impose. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Saravanakumar For R1 to R4 : Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)