Animal sacrifice in tribal rituals fall foul of court order by Samir Hota

The First Bench of Orissa High Court comprising Chief Justice V. Gopal Gouda and Justice BN Mohapatra today hearing a matter related to animal sacrifice during the Sulia festival by the tribals of Bolangir district of Orissa suggested the petitioners advocate to file contempt application in the case, in view of animal sacrifice despite a court ban.

The High Court since the last four years has been issuing orders to the district administration to prevent animal sacrifice. The court has again this year in its interim direction asked the district administration to enforce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960.

Earlier a Public Interest Litigation had been filed in the court by a Bolangir based advocate Devasis Biswal to prevent animal sacrifice during the Sulia Jatra performed by the tribals. The court had also ordered the district administration to provide security to the petitioner as he had received threatening calls after filing the case.

Anand Mishra, lawyer appearing for the petitioner stated, “We are trying to stop such cruelty but the brutal killing of animals is going on in front of the SP and Collector who are avoiding the order of the High Court. We are now planning to file a contempt petition before the High Court”.
 
Thousands of animals were sacrificed as part of the rituals on the occasion of Sulia yatra to propitiate goddess Sulia this Tuesday.