Kakinada: Cops are facing a strange problem after seizing prize-cocks used in the cockfights engaged in by gamblers during the Sankranti festival.
It is the responsibility of cops to safeguard the seized birds till they are produced before the court of law. The seized cocks will be auctioned after court gives permission to do so in the areas under the respective police station.
Police personnel districts like East Godavari, Rajamahendravaram Urban Police District and West Godavari have seized 1,038 prize-cocks, registered 1,222 cases and arrested 3,036 persons during the three days of the festival. Now, the cops should keep the cocks in safe custody till they are produced before court.
So, some cops have handed over the seized cocks to bird lovers who are rearing it. Some cops have handed over the birds to the accused themselves. If there was no accused in relation to a seized bird, it should be taken care of by the police stations for now. If any cock dies due to illness or injuries during the cockfight, cops have to prove how it happened and obtain a certificate from a veterinary doctor, said Rajanagaram CI, Subhash.
Kadiam CI Rambabu said the seized cocks would be produced before court every Tuesday and Friday and as per instructions from the magistrate, the auction would be done.
Notably, courts have abandoned the physical hearing of cases due to the Covid19 crisis. If the nagistrates or judges agree for a physical hearing of the cockfight cases, the cops would be happy.
Meanwhile, chances are that the seized cocks may be changed before they are produced in court. The prize cocks fetch a high price and the cops or the accused can keep them aside and produce usual street cocks before the courts and allow them to be lost. They can make good money on the seized cocks.
Meanwhile, East Godavari SP Ravindranath said stringent steps have been taken to curb the cockfight and other gambling games. The district police arrested 1,500 accused and seized Rs 7.32 lakh in cash, 839 cocks and 863 cock-knives during the three days.
West Godavari SP Rahul said 1,085 gamblers were arrested in 452 cases. Cops seized Rs 6.67 lakh cash, 582 cocks and 669 cock-knives. Rajamahendravaram Urban DSP Aishwarya said 431 accused were arrested in 117 cases and Rs 3.35 lakh in cash and 122 cocks seized.
