Panipat Police Register FIR Against Viral Video of Buffalo Force-Fed Alcohol During Holi Festivities, Following PETA India Complaint
Based on a viral video showing alcohol being shoved down a buffalo’s throat while the animal was forced to pull a cart carrying celebrants during Holi festivities in Naultha village of Panipat, PETA India worked with senior officials of Haryana and Panipat Police to ensure that the Israna Police Station registered a First Information Report (FIR) promptly. The incident reportedly took place on 25 March 2024 but went viral this Holi.
The video depicts a large gathering celebrating Holi, including a parade of people riding various vehicles, including a buffalo cart. The footage begins with two individuals holding the mouth of a buffalo open while one person forcefully pours large amounts of alcohol into the animal’s mouth. A nose rope and stick are visible in the video, used to control the buffalo through pain. Feeding alcohol to a buffalo can cause serious harm, including disorientation, vomiting, unconsciousness or other problems. The buffalo’s distress would have been intensified by the chaos and noise of the Holi celebration.
The FIR was registered under Sections 429, 336, 34, and 290 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(c) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Section 429 of the IPC (now Section 325 of the BNS, 2023) categorizes the maiming or killing of any animal as a cognizable offence and prescribes a punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with a fine, or with both. Section 290 of the IPC prescribes punishment for public nuisance, while Section 336 of the IPC punishes acts of negligence that endanger human life or personal safety. Section 11(1)(c) of the PCA Act makes administering an animal any injurious substance a criminal offence, while Section 11(1)(a) makes subjecting any animal to unnecessary pain or suffering a criminal offence.
PETA India is grateful to Panipat Police, particularly Shri Bhupinder Singh, IPS, Superintendent of Police of Panipat, and Sub Inspector Shri Mahipal, Station House Officer at Israna Police Station, for promptly directing registration of the FIR as soon as the abuse was reported, sending a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
PETA India recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse undergo a psychiatric evaluation and receive counselling, as abusing animals indicates a deep psychological disturbance. Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals, including humans. A study published in Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal stated, “Those who engage in cruelty to animals were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”
