People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) Vs State of Karnataka (Karnataka High Court)
The petition was filed as a public interest litigation by an organization registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. The petitioner sought directions restraining the State of Karnataka from granting permission for bull races, including events known as “Kambala,” outside the rural districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The petition also requested enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act) and reliance on the observations of the Supreme Court in Animal Welfare Board of India v. Union of India (2023).
Read SC Judgment in this case: SC Refuses to Interfere With Karnataka HC Ruling Allowing Kambala Across State
The challenge to bull-related sporting events had earlier been examined by the Supreme Court in Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja (2014), where activities such as Jallikattu and bullock cart races were held to be cruel and in violation of the PCA Act. Subsequently, the Karnataka Legislature introduced the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Second Amendment) Act, 2017, which expressly permitted traditional events such as Kambala and bullock cart races subject to conditions intended to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.
