Court permits traditional Rekla race during temple festivals, quashing denial, subject to strict animal welfare conditions.

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI & W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.551 of 2026 Neelamegam ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Superintendent of Police, O/o. Superintendent of Police, Ramanthapuram District.

2. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, O/o. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Muthukulathur Sub-division.

3. State of Tamilnadu, Rep by Inspector of Police, Kadaladi Police Station, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the respondent No.3 in proceedings Na.Ka.No. 06/Ka.Ne/Kadaladi/2026 dated 14.04.2026 and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to grant permission and protection for conducting Bullock Cart rekla race scheduled to be held on 29.04.2026 at about 07.00 a.m., to 12.00 p.m., between Sathankudi to Sayalkudi road in connection with Chithirai festival in Arulmigu Sri Vedhala Muneeswarar Kovil Kodai festival function at Sathankudi Village, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanthapuram District.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.Maharanathan For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.)

ORDER

This petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the third respondent in Na.Ka.No.06/Ka.Ne/Kadaladi/2026 dated 14.04.2026 and consequently direct the respondents to grant permission and protection for conducting Bullock Cart (Rekla) Race scheduled to be held on 29.04.2026 at about 07.00 a.m., to 12.00 p.m., between Sathankudi and Sayalkudi road in connection with Chithirai festival in Arulmigu Sri Vedhala Muneeswarar Kovil Kodai festival function at Sathankudi Village, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanthapuram District.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is one of the member of Arulmigu Sri Vedhala Muneeswarar Kovil Kodai festival function at Sathankudi Village, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanthapuram District. In this regard, the petitioner had well before given a representation seeking permission to conduct Bullock Cart (Rekla) Race on 29.04.2026, at about 07.00 a.m., to 12.00 p.m., at Sathankudi - Sayalkudi road. However, the same was rejected vide the impugned order. He further submitted that several races were conducted with the permission of the District Administration. However, the permission was denied only to the petitioner and hence, this petition came to be filed.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that already this Court had permitted various temple committees to conduct Rekla Race in Kodai festival and he relied upon the order passed by this Court in WP(MD)No.13355 of 2023 dated 08.06.2023, WP(MD)No.5360 of 2024 dated 08.03.2024 and the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in WP(MD)No.21022 of 2024 dated 03.09.2024 and the order of this Court made in WP(MD)No.2187 of 2025 dated 06.03.2025. He further pointed out that the impugned proceeding is passed only on the ground that the game of Rekla race is not included in the schedule of Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, (Tamil Nadu Amendment Act 2017), along with Jallikattu, Manjuviratu, Erudhu vidum vizha, and Vadamadu, and sought for the indulgence of this Court.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the conduct of Bullock Cart (Rekla) Race would amount to causing cruelty to the animals, more particularly in Rekla race, the animals would be subjected to cruelty. He also drew the attention of this Court to the circular of the office of the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry And Veterinary Sciences in ROC No.1509 / TNAWB/ 2020, where the events of Rekla race and Cock fight are specifically e