Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jan 22: A court at Merces has sentenced Gajanand Salgaonkar and Keval Fernandes to pay fines totalling Rs 200 each for organising a bullfight at Pilar in 2025, holding them guilty of subjecting animals to cruelty for public entertainment.
As per the prosecution, the accused organised a bullfight in an open public place at around 10.30 am on January 24, 2025, near Talyakade, Zaribhat, Pilar, where the bulls were allegedly incited to fight, causing them cruelty. The act was carried out in full public view.
The duo was booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Both Salgaonkar and Fernandes voluntarily pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against them.
Pronouncing the order, JMFC (F Court), Merces, Ankita Navgenkar imposed a fine of Rs 100 each under Section 325 of the BNS, which pertains to committing mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering any animal useless.
Additionally, the court fined them Rs 50 each under Section 11(m) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for treating animals cruelly solely for entertainment, and another Rs 50 each under Section 11(n) of the same Act for organising animal fights.
The court observed that such acts amount to unnecessary cruelty to animals and are punishable under law.