An FIR has been registered by Chittoor police in Andhra Pradesh over the sacrifice of a goat to celebrate the release of Pawan Kalyan-starrer Bheemla Nayak, based on a complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) India.
Also starring Rana Daggubati, Bheemla Nayak is the official Telugu remake of the hit Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum. It was released in theatres on February 25 to positive reception.
According to PETA, a goat was sacrificed at CSN Cinema Theatre in Bodumalluvaripalle village in Pileru, Chittoor by a group of young men. The organisation added that the “cruel incident” was captured on camera. A video shows a live goat surrounded by a group of fans at the theatre premises, which is subsequently beheaded with a sword, followed by loud cheering. The statement also adds that a man collected the blood of the slaughtered goat and smeared it on the film’s poster.
As per the FIR, which was accessed by Silverscreen India, the suspects are as yet unidentified. The FIR was registered on Thursday based on a complaint from Meet Ashar, Associate Manager, Emergency Response Team, PETA India.
“Police is investigating the Chittoor case and trying to identify the accused seen in the video,” Meet Ashar told Silverscreen India on Saturday.
The FIR states that the sacrifice of animals and birds is prohibited in Andhra Pradesh. It further adds, “Use of prohibited arms, in this case sword, is punishable offence under Section 7 of the Arms Act, 1959. Under Section 25(1A) it is an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to fourteen years, along with fine.”
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The FIR has been registered under Section 6 of the Andhra Pradesh Animals and Birds Sacrifice Prohibition Act, 1950, as well as Sections 34 (act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and 429 (Mischief by killing or maiming an animal) of the Indian Penal Code, Section 25(1)(A) of the Arms Act, 1959, and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
This is not the first time PETA has initiated police action over an animal sacrifice performed by fans to celebrate a film. Previously, in September 2021, after fans of actor Rajinikanth had sacrificed a goat and anointed his film Annaatthe’s poster with the animal’s blood, PETA had worked with the police to register an FIR.