Animal Sacrifice Prevented and FIR Registered Against Illegal Ram Fight in Bagalkot Following PETA India Complaint

After receiving information about a planned ram fight and animal sacrifice as part of an annual ritual in Konnur Jaatre at Sri Karisiddeshwara Temple in Konnuru village, Bagalkot district, PETA India swiftly intervened. Following PETA India’s complaint, the Bagalkot police took preventive measures by issuing a notice under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to the organisers of the events and putting up posters across the city and within the temple premises on their illegality. A meeting was also held with the temple regarding the planned events by the police. Pamphlets detailing the relevant laws were also distributed to the public.

The sacrifice of animals was successfully prevented. However, despite these preventive steps, the ram fight reportedly took place. Acting on PETA India’s subsequent complaint seeking registration of a First Information Report (FIR), the Jamkhandi Rural Police registered an FIR under Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11(1)(n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

In its complaint, PETA India pointed out that it is a cognisable offence under Section 11(1)(n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, to organise, keep, use, or act in the management of any place for animal fighting. Section 11(1)(m)(ii) of the same Act makes it an offence to incite any animal to fight with another.

The complaint also cited the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959, which, under Section 3, strictly prohibits the sacrifice of animals in or within the precincts of any place of public religious worship, or during any related congregation or procession. Section 4 prohibits any person from officiating, assisting, or participating in such sacrifices, and Section 5 bans the use of any place of public religious worship for this purpose. Section 6 makes violations of Sections 3, 4, and 5 punishable offences.

Also, PETA India highlighted that inciting animals to fight or killing them illegally by several persons acting with common intention constitutes a punishable offence under Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Additionally, under Section 325 of the BNS, mischievously killing or maiming animals, which often occurs during such fights, is punishable with imprisonment for up to five years, a fine, or both. Such events also endanger both animals and the public and are offences under Sections 3(5), 125, 291, and 325 of the BNS.

Gujarat, Kerala, Puducherry, and Rajasthan already have laws in place prohibiting the religious sacrifice of any animal in any temple or its precinct. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana prohibit it in any place of public religious worship, adoration, its precinct, or any congregation or procession connected with religious worship on a public street.