The Government and authorities must enforce animal welfare laws effectively to prevent unlawful cockfighting, as mandated by existing judicial orders and statutory provisions.

ORDER :

VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA, J.

Since all the writ petitions have been filed seeking the same relief, they are being heard and disposed of through this common order.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners in all the writ petitions and Smt.A.Jayanthi, learned Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondents.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners made representations to the respondent authorities to stop cockfights, as they involve betting and other unlawful activities that attract youth, lead to addiction to alcohol, and result in the loss of their properties. However, no action has been taken so far. Learned counsel further submits that the Division Bench of this Court has already addressed this issue and issued directions to the respondent authorities in W.P.(PIL) No. 177 of 2016, dated 16.09.2019. Learned counsel finally prays this Court that let there be a direction to the respondent authorities to take appropriate steps over the matters.

4. Learned Government Pleader for Home, on written instructions, would submit that police are taking steps to educate the people not to indulge in such unlawful activities and further would submit that Court may pass appropriate orders.

5. Considering the submissions made and in view of the directions issued by the Division Bench of this Court in W.P.(PIL).No.177 of 2016 dated 16.09.2019, these writ petitions are disposed of with the following guidelines.

1. As mandated by the 2001 Rules, and the orders of the Supreme Court in Geeta Seshmani v. Union of India (W.P. (Civil) No(s). 440 of 2000 dated 06.08.2008 and Gauri Maulekhi v. Union of India : W.P. (Civil) No. 881 of 2014 dated 13.07.2015, the Government of A.P. shall, at the earliest and in any event not later than 31.01.2017, constitute SPCAs in all District of the State of Andhra Pradesh strictly in accordance with the 2001 Rules.

2. The District Collectors of all the Districts, more particularly of West Godavari, East Godavari, Krishna and Guntur, shall constitute joint inspection teams, for each mandal in their respective Districts consisting of a police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police, the Tahsildar, and a representative of either the animal Welfare Board of India or a member of a non-govermental organization espousing the cause of animals or persons involved in the prevention of cruelty to animals. Two police constables, and a photographer, shall assist each of these inspection teams which shall be constituted on or before 07.01.2017. These joint inspection teams shall be provided necessary assistance by the District Administration to tour all villages in their Mandal, and identify playgrounds/cock-pits where such events are proposed to be held.

3. The District Collector/ the Commissioners of Police/Superintendent of Police of the District, on being informed of the places where such playgrounds and cockpits have been formed, shall take immediate action to ensure that such playgrounds are not utilized for conducting cock-fights, if need be, by exercising powers under Section 144 Cr.P.C.

4. They shall also be entitled to seize instruments used or intended to be used for the cock fights, and any money which may have been collected towards betting at such events.

5. All the District Collectors, the Commissioners of Police and the Superintendent of Police, more particularly from these four District, shall ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the 1960 and the 1974 Acts. They shall be held personally responsible for lapses, if any, on their part in ensuring its proper and effective implementation during the ensuing Sankranthi festivals.

6. The District Collectors and the Superintendents of Police may, if need be, organise village level meetings to inform the general pub