The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed bull races in Maharashtra on the basis of similar conditions and regulations as laid down in the amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Taking up a plea by the Maharashtra government, a bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar noted that Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments have passed amendments to the act to allow animal sports. The top court said the same dispensation must apply to the provisions of the Maharashtra government, which are similar to the amendments carried out in other states.
It said that the amendments have also been challenged in the apex court. However, the matter had been referred the matter to the Constitution Bench, without a stay on the amendments.
The bench said the validity of the Maharashtra amendment will also be decided by the same Constitution Bench.
During the hearing, the bench said that it is essential to have uniformity and questioned why they shouldn't be allowed in Maharashtra if races are going on in other states.
The Maharashtra government, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, challenged the 2018 Bombay High Court order which stayed the bullock cart races in the state.
The high court had passed the order in the backdrop of a top court judgment banning traditional animal sports like Jallikattu, terming it an offence under the PCA Act.
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(Published 16 December 2021, 09:57 IST)
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