Gauhati High Court Bans Buffalo Fights in Assam

The Gauhati High Court has issued a directive to the Assam government to halt all buffalo fights, responding to a petition from PETA India that revealed shocking evidence of animal cruelty. The court emphasized that such events violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and previous judicial rulings. PETA India has documented severe mistreatment of buffaloes during these fights, prompting calls for accountability and preventive measures against future occurrences. This ruling reinforces the commitment to animal welfare in Assam, highlighting the need for societal change regarding animal treatment.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 22, 2026, 09:18 IST

Court Orders Halt to Buffalo Fights

Guwahati, April 22: The Gauhati High Court has instructed the Assam government, specifically the Home & Political department, to prohibit any buffalo fights (Moh juj) across the state and to take necessary legal action against event organizers until further notice.

This interim ruling was issued by Justice Anjan Moni Kalita in response to a writ petition submitted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India), which highlighted the illegal buffalo fights that occurred in various districts of Assam in January.

The court noted that buffalo fights are not permissible under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and any future organization of such events would contravene established judicial rulings.

PETA India presented alarming new evidence of severe cruelty towards buffaloes to the Gauhati High Court. The evidence, captured in photos and videos, depicted buffaloes covered in blood with severe wounds, being relentlessly struck with heavy sticks and dragged by nose ropes to force them into fights, leading to serious injuries. One video even showed a man being attacked by a fleeing buffalo.

PETA India called for accountability and immediate action against these illegal events, urging for intervention to prevent any future occurrences that would blatantly disregard the Gauhati High Court's directives and the Supreme Court's significant ruling in the case of Animal Welfare Board of India vs A Nagaraja.

In December 2024, the Gauhati High Court had previously annulled the Assam government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from December 27, 2023, which permitted buffalo and bulbul bird fights during specific periods in January.

The court further ruled that the SOP violated the Supreme Court's May 7, 2014 judgment in the Animal Welfare Board of India vs A Nagaraja case, which banned animal spectacles involving inherent cruelty.

“We appreciate the Gauhati High Court for establishing a clear mandate that buffaloes deserve protection from mistreatment. Inflicting violence on terrified animals for public entertainment is unacceptable in a civilized society,” stated Vikram Chandravanshi, senior policy and legal advisor at PETA India.