Despite ban, 'Recreational Sport' Cockfight held in Andhra Pradesh

Despite a Supreme Court ban on cockfights, the 'sport' continued unabated in many districts of Andhra with crores of rupees gambled on them.

The cockfights reportedly took place in the open in the districts of Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam.

According to The New Indian Express, the cockfights were organised in Edupugallu, Ibrahimpatnam, G Konduru, Vyuru, Gudivada, Kanchikacherla, Nandigama and Gannavaram.

The events were organised by several politicians, while police denied it, says the report.

BJP leader Kanumuri Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju also organised a cockfight at his guest house.

The High Court of Hyderabad, in its order dated December 26, 2016, has upheld the ban on cockfighting in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and has directed the state governments to ensure no cockfighting takes place during Sankranti hereinafter.

Recently, the Supreme Court had upheld the High Court's order banning the violent sport.

About the sport

These cockfights are popular in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during the Sankranti festival. It involves betting worth crores of rupees and this time the transaction was reportedly being made digitally to beat the currency crunch after the notes ban.

A cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters. Some of them have a blade or a sharp knife tied to their leg, to make the duel more deadly.

OneIndia News