M.G.Puvinkumar v. The Principal Secretary

O R D E R This petition has been filed seeking to direct the 5th and 7th respondents to give permission to conduct Kidamuttu program on 14.02.2026 as part of Temple Festival of Arulmighu Shree Valladhikara Swamy Temple, Thettur Narayanapurm Village, Madurai District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.01.2026.

¶2When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondents submitted that the 3rd respondent/District Collector had already considered the petitioner's representation and rejected the same by order dated 04.02.2026. It was further submitted that the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, by proceedings dated 06.01.2022, had clarified that only Jallikattu, Manjuvirattu, Erudu Vidum Vizha and Vadamadu events are permitted, and that Rekhla race, cockfighting, etc., are not permissible. In the present case, the petitioner is seeking permission to conduct a Kidamuttu programme, which does not fall under Jallikattu or the permitted events, and therefore the respondents have rejected the request.

¶3This Court has already considered the very same issue in W.P.(Crl)

(MD) No.2575 of 2025, by order dated 05.01.2026, wherein the matter was dealt with in detail. ''4.The contention of the petitioner is that 'Cock-Flight' is one of the customary festivals in Tamil Nadu and the same is conducted during the 'Thai Pongal' festival. Since it is a customary practice, the petitioner seeks to continue the same.

¶5Per contra, the respondents vehemently objected, stating that the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court declined permission vide order dated 21.05.2014 in W.P.(MD) No.8040 of 2014. Following the same, a learned Single Judge of this Court also declined permission vide order dated 09.10.2025 in W.P.(MD) No.27950 of 2025. However, another Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court, vide order dated 29.04.2025 in W.P.(MD) No. 13048 of 2025, permitted the conduct of 'Kidaa-Muttu'. Since 'Cock-Flight' is stated to be similar in nature, the petitioner seeks similar permission.

¶6Further, another learned Single Judge of the Principal Bench at Madras, vide order dated 15.04.2025 in W.P. No.13309 of 2025, had permitted the conduct of 'Cock-Flight'

¶7Since there are inconsistent orders, the respondent police submitted that permission cannot be granted. However, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the Hon'ble Principal Bench passed an order dated 13.08.2025 in W.P. Nos. 25985, 25986 and 25987 of 2025 in the case of Gauri Maulekhi Vs. The Additional Chief Secretary, Home and five other, wherein the earlier order dated 21.05.2014 passed in W.P.(MD) No.8040 of 2014 was referred to, and appropriate directions were issued. The relevant paragraph Nos.3 to 5 are extracted hereunder: ...... " 3.The issue raised is with regard to the alleged cruelty on birds during the cock fight. Number of orders have been brought to the notice of this Court by learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners, including the decision in the case of S.Kannan V. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai and others, reported in 2014(3) CTC 676. 4. Learned State counsel prays for and is granted three weeks' time to file reply. 5. Taking into consideration the earlier orders passed by this Court and the provisions contained in the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, it is directed that, in any event involving cocks, the provisions of the aforesaid Acts shall be scrupulously followed and neither any gaming will be allowed, nor any kind of cruelty by tying knives, blades or stitching of eyes or any such activity be allowed. It shall be the responsibility of the Police Administration to take appropriate action, if any such incident of violation is reported."

¶8Following the same, the Director General of Police issued a circular dated 28.08.2025, directing all police officials to scrupulously follow the said order without any deviation. On perusal of the same, it is seen that the Hon'ble Principal Bench directed that 'Cock-Flight' may be allowed, provided there is no gaming and no cruelty is involved, and that tying knives or blades or stitching eyes is strictly prohibited.

¶4Considering the same, in the present case also, the petitioner had conducted the programme several years ago. However, according to the prosecution, the petitioner had stopped conducting the programme for the past 15 years and is now proposing to conduct it for the first time. In view of the same, the petitioner is directed to submit a fresh application. Upon receipt of such application, the respondents shall consider the same and grant permission to the petitioner to conduct the Kidamuttu programme on 16.02.2026, in Arulmighu Shree Valladhikara Swamy Temple, Thettur Narayanapurm Village, Madurai District, subject to the following conditions:-

(I) The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) shall assist during the conduct of 'Kidamuttu'.

(ii) The SPCA shall verify that no knives or blades are tied and that the Kida eyes not stitched in any manner.

(iii) Only after such verification, the Kida may be permitted to participate in 'Kidamuttu

¶5With the above directions, this Writ Petition (Criminal) is disposed of.

09.02.2026 Index : Yes / No

Internet : Yes NCC : Yes / No

msrm Note: Issue order copy on 10.02.2026 To

¶1The Principal Secretary, Animal and Husbandry Welfare Department, Secretariate, Chennai.

¶2The Commissioner, Animal and Husbandry Welfare Department, Anna Salai, Nandhanam, Chennai.

¶3The District Collector, M adurai District, Madurai.

¶4The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai.

¶5The Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurai District, Madurai.

¶6The Tahsildar, Vadipatti Taluk Office, Madurai.

¶7The Inspector of Police, Vadipatti Police Station, Madurai District.

¶8The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai S.SRIMATHY, J msrm W.P.CRL.(MD)No. 651 of 2026

09.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY M.G.Puvinkumar ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The Principal Secretary, Animal and Husbandry Welfare Department, Secretariate, Chennai. 2. The Commissioner, Animal and Husbandry Welfare Department, Anna Salai, Nandhanam, Chennai. 3. The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai. 4. The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai. 5. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurai District, Madurai. 6. The Tahsildar, Vadipatti Taluk Office, Madurai. 7. The Inspector of Police, Vadipatti Police Station, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 5th and 7th respondents to give permission to conduct Kidamuttu program on 14.02.2026 as part of Temple Festival of Arulmighu Shree Valladhikara Swamy Temple, Thettur Narayanapuram Village, Madurai District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.01.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Balarathinakumar For Respondents : Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate (R1 to R3, R5 and R6). For Respondents : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad Government Advocate (Crl.Side) (R4 and R7)