Case booked against illegal RAM, bullfights after PETA, Hyderabad activist raise alarm

Hyderabad: After being alerted by a series of social media posts showcasing illegal ram and bullfighting events, a first information report (FIR) has been registered at the Nagole Police Station.

The FIR, which named multiple organisers involved in the illegal activities, was filed following a formal complaint by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, in collaboration with local activist Syed Saleem.

The complaint was made under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 11(1) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibits such activities. PETA has urged authorities to locate the animals involved in these fights and ensure they are rescued and protected from further harm.

PETA commends police action

PETA India expressed its appreciation for the swift action taken by Nagole Police Station house officer S Sudheer Krishna in addressing the complaint.

“PETA India commends Nagole Station house officer Sudheer Krishna for his prompt action in registering the FIR and sending the message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated,” said PETA India’s Cruelty Response Coordinator, Sinchana Subramanyan. “Spectacles that force animals to engage in combat are not only inherently cruel and violent but also illegal. Animals endure immense suffering, including severe physical injuries and psychological distress.”

Subramanyan highlighted the severe physical trauma animals endure, including broken bones and wounds, as well as their forced training and malnourished condition.

Illegal events documented on social media

The illegal events were discovered on the Instagram page ‘Team Gabbar Nagole,’ where multiple videos depicting ram and bullfights were posted. The content featured animals being provoked and force-fed to increase their aggression, with some posts showing fights resulting in severe injuries to the animals.

These videos serve as clear evidence of violations under Indian animal protection laws, and the organizers are being held accountable under the FIR. The police have been tasked with identifying and seizing the animals to prevent future incidents.

Legal framework against animal cruelty

The acts carried out during these events violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960, which explicitly prohibits inciting animals to fight for entertainment purposes. Additionally, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, under Section 325, makes it a punishable offence to kill or maim animals.

The FIR also cited a 2014 Supreme Court ruling, which reinforced the government’s responsibility to enforce animal protection laws and penalize those involved in such illegal activities.

Call for stronger enforcement

Syed Saleem, the local activist who collaborated with PETA India in filing the complaint, emphasised the need for strict enforcement of laws to curb these activities.

Saleem stated, “The continued organisation of such cruel and barbaric events shows a blatant disregard for legal and moral boundaries. The authorities must ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

PETA India has also offered to assist in the rehabilitation of the rescued animals, stressing the importance of enforcing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to prevent further exploitation.