Two FIRs Registered in Illegal Animal Sacrifice Cases at Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple, Jakkuru, and Sri Muneshwara Devasthana, Begur, Bengaluru, Following PETA India Intervention
After receiving information regarding the illegal sacrifice of chickens within the premises of Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple, Jakkuru, and the sacrifice of chickens and goats at Sri Muneshwara Devasthana, Begur, PETA India, in coordination with local activists from Bengaluru, documented the incidents and pursued legal action against those involved.
On 10 March, two local activists, Joe George Cherian and Vamsi Krishna Reddy, visited Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple and documented disturbing visuals of beheaded chickens being placed into a sack within the temple premises. Acting on instructions from the local police station’s SHO, he contacted the 112 emergency helpline. Hoysala police personnel arrived at the scene and reportedly issued a warning to the temple authorities; however, no further action was taken at the time, despite the offence being punishable under the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959, among other laws.
The illegal and cruel sacrifice of chickens at the Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple, Jakkuru, Bengaluru
The unlawful sacrifice of chickens and goats at Sri Muneshwara Devasthana in Begur, Bengaluru.
When the activists attempted to leave the premises, they were allegedly mobbed and restrained by individuals associated with the temple. In the presence of patrolling police personnel, they were reportedly forced to delete all evidence from their phones before being allowed to leave. Prior to this, however, they had already shared certain photos and videos with PETA India.
Ultimately, following further escalation by local activist Dr Mahesh Udupa to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), North-East, Bengaluru, on 4 April, directions were issued to register a First Information Report (FIR). Accordingly, the Amruthahalli Police Station registered an FIR under Sections 3, 5, and 6 of the Karnataka Prohibition of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959, and Sections 3(5) and 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
On 7 April, activist Vamsi Krishna Reddy witnessed goats and chickens being sacrificed at Sri Muneshwara Devasthana in Begur and immediately alerted the police. PETA India worked with the activist to file a complaint at Begur Police Station, supported by timestamped footage captured at the scene. Based on the complaint, Begur Police registered an FIR under Sections 3 and 6 of the Karnataka Prohibition of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959; Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; and Section 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 on the same day.
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 killing animals illegally by several persons in furtherance of a common intention is a punishable offence under Section 3(5) of the BNS, 2023. Under Section 325 of the BNS, mischievously killing animals is punishable with imprisonment for a term that may extend to five years, a fine, or both.
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.
Just as human sacrifice is condemned as murder, the outdated practice of animal sacrifice must also end.
Call for an End to Animal Sacrifice, Now!
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