Sankranti: Despite ban, bloodied cockfights held in Andhra districts; bettor walks away with ₹1.53 Cr bounty

Amaravati: Defying a court ban, a bettor walked away with ₹1.53 crore after a high-stakes Sankranti cockfight in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari.

On Sankranti, the illegal cockfights continued unabated across the districts.

Record Win at Tadepalligudem

The incident occurred at Tadepalligudem, where Rajahmundry-based Ramesh allegedly won the massive bet after his rooster emerged victorious in a knife-fitted cockfight.

High-Stakes Betting Between Owners

Ramesh and rival owner Gudivada Prabhakar are said to have wagered huge sums on their specially bred roosters, both fitted with sharp knives tied to their legs—a prohibited practice under existing laws.

Celebrations After Massive Payout

Visuals aired by local television channels showed Ramesh and his associates celebrating the win. Ramesh reportedly said he had trained and nourished his rooster for nearly six months, feeding it dry fruits and special supplements to enhance stamina and strength.

Cockfights Continue Despite Court Ban

Cockfights were organised on a large scale for the second consecutive day on Thursday across multiple districts, ignoring court orders and repeated warnings by police and district administrations.

Special Arenas and Political Backing

Organisers, allegedly backed by political figures, set up dedicated arenas in parts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, Polavaram, and Krishna districts. The events began with Bhogi festivities and continued late into the night under floodlights.

VIP Presence Draws Crowds

Hundreds of spectators, including politicians, businessmen, and celebrities from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and neighbouring states, were present at several venues, lending the events a sense of legitimacy despite their illegal nature.

No Deterrence From Official Warnings

Warnings issued by police and district authorities had little impact, with some public representatives reportedly attending the cockfights in person, emboldening organisers.

More Fights Planned

Organisers have reportedly made arrangements to continue the cockfights for a third day on Friday, even as enforcement agencies remain on alert.

Fatal Consequences for Birds

During the contests, well-trained roosters fitted with knives fought amid loud cheers. Many such fights end with severe injuries or the death of one of the birds, animal welfare groups said.

Legal Provisions Violated

Cockfighting and gambling are banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act. Animal rights activists point out that inciting animal fights is an offence under Section 11(1)(m)(ii), while organising or allowing such events is a cognisable offence under Section 11(1)(n).

Organisers Cite Tradition

Some organisers defended the events, claiming they are part of the Sankranti tradition and insisting that courts have barred only those cockfights involving knives—an interpretation disputed by animal rights groups and legal experts.