Facts
The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to grant permission and provide adequate police protection for a Rekla (bullock-cart) race scheduled for 11 October 2026, from V. Ayyarputhur Village to the Sugar Factory on Alanganallur Road, relying on representations dated 1 and 3 October 2026.
Source reference: p.1The Court referred to conditions for conducting such races laid down in its order dated 16 February 2024 and to conditions imposed by the Supreme Court in Transfer Petition (C) No. 68 of 2013.
Source reference: pp.2–6The respondents appeared through the Government Advocate (Criminal), and the petition was taken up for final disposal by consent.
Source reference: p.2; para. 1Issues
Whether permission for the proposed Rekla race should be granted subject to the previously prescribed safeguards.
Source reference: p.7; para. 3Whether the petitioner was entitled to the requested directions, including police protection, for conducting the race.
Source reference: p.1; p.7; paras. 1, 3Law Applied
The Court relied on the conditions prescribed in its order dated 16 February 2024 in W.P. (MD) Nos. 2132, 2537 and 3449 of 2024, and on the safeguards imposed by the Supreme Court in Transfer Petition (C) No. 68 of 2013.
Source reference: pp.2–6These conditions regulate the conduct of bullock-cart races, including requirements concerning departmental no-objection certificates, route and timing, veterinary inspection and treatment, separate tracks, safety measures, video-recording, and prevention of cruelty.
Source reference: pp.3–6The cited conditions also provide for penal action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, where cruelty occurs.
Source reference: pp.3–6The Court held that permission would be granted if the prescribed conditions were fulfilled.
Source reference: p.7; para. 3Reasoning
The Court treated the earlier judicially prescribed safeguards as governing the proposed race.
Source reference: pp.2–7; paras. 2–3It did not independently assess each condition against the proposed event; instead, it made permission conditional on compliance with the safeguards set out in the 2024 order and the Supreme Court’s order.
Source reference: pp.2–7; paras. 2–3The order does not separately specify the arrangements for police protection.
Source reference: no citationHolding
The Court disposed of the writ petition, holding that permission for the race would be granted if the stated conditions were fulfilled.
No costs were ordered.
Source reference: p.7; para. 3Original Court PDF
R.AkashvsThe State of Tamilnadu
Click to open original judgment
Original judgment, available to read, download and summarize on LawLens.in
