FIRs Registered for Goat Sacrifice in Jagtial and Warangal Following Complaints by PETA India and SAFI Hyderabad, and Intervention by Smt Maneka Gandhi
In response to the circulation of disturbing videos showing the unlawful killing of goats during animal sacrifice rituals in Chinna Metpalli village, Korutla Mandal, Jagtial district and near Bodrai, Khila Warangal Mandal, Warangal district—PETA India, with the intervention of former Union Cabinet Minister Smt Maneka Gandhi and in coordination with the Stray Animal Foundation of India (SAFI) Hyderabad, successfully facilitated the registration of two first information reports (FIRs) at Korutla Police Station in Jagtial and AJ Mills Colony Police Station in Warangal.
The videos, which were publicly circulated on Instagram, depict acts of extreme cruelty and the killing of goats in full public view. In the recordings, goats are killed by being bitten on the neck or having the neck twisted in a 360° manner.
PETA India coordinated with the Telangana Police for the registration of two FIRs, following complaints filed by Ms Kotala Sri Vidhya, Cruelty Prevention Assistant at SAFI, Hyderabad, and with support from Smt Maneka Gandhi, former Union Cabinet Minister.
One FIR was registered by the Korutla Police Station against the key accused, Neelam Rakesh, under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; Section 6 of the Telangana Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition (TABSP) Act, 1950; and Sections 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(i) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
The other FIR was registered by the AJ Mills Colony Police Station against an unknown individual under Section 325 of the BNS, 2023; Section 6 of the TABSP Act, 1950; and Sections 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(l) of the PCA Act, 1960.
Section 325 of the BNS, 2023, categorises the maiming or killing of any animal as a cognisable offence and prescribes a punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with a fine, or with both. Section 6 of the TABSP Act, 1950 makes it punishable for any person to knowingly allow any sacrifice to be performed at any place that is in their possession or under their control, as well as for anyone who officiates, performs, or participates in the sacrifice of an animal in any congregation. Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960, defines “cruelty” and makes the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal a punishable offence.
PETA India is deeply grateful to Smt Maneka Gandhi for her prompt intervention and unwavering support, and we commend the Telangana Police for registering the FIR and sending the message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. Animal sacrifice is both cruel to animals and a danger to society. It desensitises us to violence and reinforces obsolete beliefs that hinder progress. Just as human sacrifice is now treated as murder, at a time when India is embarking on space missions, the archaic practice of animal sacrifice must end. It is a necessity for our societal evolution.
The Supreme Court has ordered that animals can be slaughtered only in licensed slaughterhouses and that municipal authorities must ensure compliance with this ruling. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, permit the slaughter of animals for food only in licensed slaughterhouses equipped with species-specific stunning equipment.
Gujarat, Kerala, Puducherry, and Rajasthan already have specific laws in place prohibiting the religious sacrifice of any animal in any temple or its precinct. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana prohibit it in any place of public religious worship or adoration or its precinct or in any congregation or procession connected with religious worship on a public street.
