Panaji/Colva: The death of a bull following an alleged illegal Dhirio at Benaulim Beach has once again brought the banned practice under scrutiny, with Colva Police registering a First Information Report (FIR) against the owners of the two bulls involved in the alleged bullfight held on July 7.Following intervention by the South Goa Superintendent of Police’s office, Colva Police registered the offence based on a complaint filed by PSI Manju Vantamuri and launched an investigation. Police booked Antonio Jose Fernandes of Colva, owner of the bull that died, and Salim (full name not known) of Seraulim, owner of the other bull.The accused have been charged under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for mischief by killing or maiming an animal, along with sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Police have seized the surviving bull, while the postmortem report of the deceased animal is awaited.Meanwhile, the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), South Goa, also lodged a formal complaint with Colva Police seeking action against the organisers and facilitators of the alleged illegal bullfight.According to the complaint, the incident occurred at around 4pm on July 7, when an illegal bullfight, or Dhirio, was allegedly organised in an open area near Benaulim Beach. A large crowd had reportedly gathered to witness the event, during which two specially trained bulls were incited to lock horns in what the DSPCA described as a cruel contest.The complaint states that one of the bulls, after sustaining severe distress and injuries during the fight, broke free from the makeshift arena and ran towards the sea. Owing to rough monsoon seas and strong currents, the animal was reportedly swept into deep water and drowned. Its carcass was later recovered from the sea.The DSPCA also invoked Rules 14 and 15 of the Livestock Markets Rules, 2017, alleging cruel handling of the animals and the infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering.Further, the complaint contends that organising the event amounts to contempt of court, as the Bombay High Court at Goa had prohibited Dhirio, or traditional bullfights, in the state. The ban was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of India.According to the complaint, holding the event despite the judicial prohibition amounts to a violation of court orders, attracting provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
