Cockfight Crackdown: Andhra Pradesh police 'bind over' 912 people amid bird flu

KAKINADA (Andhra Pradesh): The police in Andhra Pradesh's east Godavari district 'bound over' 912 persons, registered 296 FIRs and seized 638 cock knives as part of their efforts to crackdown on illegal activities during the festival of 'Makar Sankranti'.

"So far 296 FIRs were registered in which 912 persons were 'bound over' and 638 knives were seized from January 1 till January 9," said an official.

The police used tractors and JCBs to destroy the cockfight venues generally arranged near paddy fields. They personally supervised tractors and JCBs to plough the plains ideal for cockfights.

Similarly, joint inspection teams of local police and revenue officials served notices to known cockfight organisers and players, including knife manufacturers and veterinary experts who treat the roosters.

Many cockfight organisers and past cockfight players were 'bound over' under Section 110 (E) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPc).

"'Bound over' is more of a preventive measure. It does not lead to a criminal trial like an IPC case does. It enforces good behaviour bond on the respondent, hence 'bind over', violation of which can lead to fine or even imprisonment in rare cases," Prakasam district Superintendent of Police (SP), SiddharthKaushal, said.

He said 'bind over' cases could be grounds for registration of an IPC case subsequently or even just summon a person to the police station repeatedly.

According to Adnan NayeemAsmi, east Godavari SP, a 'bind over' case makes it compulsory for a person to refrain from committing any cognisable offence and maintain good behaviour. (IANS)

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