Facts
The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to grant permission and provide police protection for a bullock-cart and horse-cart race (Ellai Panthayam), scheduled for 24 October 2026 as part of an Independence Day celebration, relying on his representation dated 5 October 2026.
Source reference: p. 1The Court referred to its order dated 16 February 2024 in W.P.(MD) Nos. 2132, 2537 and 3449 of 2024, which set conditions for conducting bullock-cart races, and to conditions imposed by the Supreme Court in Transfer Petition (C) No. 68 of 2013.
Source reference: pp. 2–8Issues
1. Whether the petitioner was entitled to a direction requiring the respondents to permit the scheduled bullock-cart and horse-cart race.
Source reference: p. 12. Whether permission to conduct the race should be subject to the conditions previously laid down by the Court and the Supreme Court.
Source reference: pp. 2–8Law Applied
The Court relied on the conditions in its order dated 16 February 2024 in W.P.(MD) Nos. 2132, 2537 and 3449 of 2024 and those imposed by the Supreme Court in Transfer Petition (C) No. 68 of 2013.
Source reference: pp. 2–8These conditions regulate race conduct and require, among other safeguards, relevant departmental no-objection certificates, suitable routes and tracks, veterinary inspection and care, prevention of cruelty or whipping, safety measures, and compliance with restrictions on timing, distance, and participants. The conditions also provide for penal action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, in cases of cruelty to bulls.
Source reference: pp. 2–7Reasoning
The Court treated the earlier judicial conditions as governing the petitioner’s request.
Source reference: p. 8Rather than grant unconditional permission, it held that permission would be granted if those conditions were fulfilled. The order does not separately discuss a distinct set of safeguards for the horse-cart race; its recited conditions principally address bullock-cart races.
Source reference: pp. 2–8Holding
The Court disposed of the writ petition, holding that permission for the event would be granted subject to fulfilment of the stated conditions.
The order did not grant unconditional permission or separately specify a direction for police protection; no costs were awarded.
Source reference: p. 8Original Court PDF
P.RiyaskhanvsThe District Collector
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