Madras HC Rules There Is No Legal Right To Conduct Cock Fights [Read Order]

Chennai: The Madras High Court has held that there is no legal right to organize or conduct cock fights, observing that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 expressly prohibits animal fights arranged by human beings.

Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench made the observation while dismissing a writ petition filed by M. Muventhan, who sought permission to conduct a cock fight (without knives) at Kaaraikeni in Madurai District. The petitioner had challenged the order of the District Collector denying permission for the event.

Rejecting the plea, the Court referred to the Division Bench ruling in S. Kannan v. Commissioner of Police, Madurai City (2014), which interpreted Sections 11(1)(m)(ii) and (n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 to mean that any animal fight, including that between birds, is an offence when organized for entertainment. Justice Swaminathan noted that the statutory definition of “animal” includes birds and that the law leaves no room for exceptions.

The Court also cited the 28 August 2025 circular of the Director General of Police prohibiting cock fights in Tamil Nadu, which reiterated the Court’s earlier directions. Referring to media reports of a Supreme Court order allowing traditional cock fights in Telangana, the judge observed that such permission was granted under Article 142 of the Constitution—a power not available to High Courts.

Rejecting the petitioner’s claim that cock fighting was a cultural event, Justice Swaminathan remarked, “Even though cock fighting can be said to be prevalent and there is even a well-known film ‘Aadukalam’ featuring it as its central theme, I am afraid that cultural status cannot be conferred on cock fight in the State of Tamil Nadu.”

The Court therefore concluded that since the law explicitly prohibits animal fights organized by humans, the petitioner had no enforceable legal right to seek permission. Accordingly, the writ petition was dismissed.

Appearance:
Mr. S. Shanmugam appeared for the petitioner, while Mr. M. Gangatharan, Government Advocate, and Mr. A. Albert James, Government Advocate, appeared for the respondents.

Case Title: M. Muventhan vs. The District Collector, Madurai District & Ors.

[Read Order]