The Vitla police have registered a case against MLA for Puttur Ashok Kumar Rai for his alleged support of an illegal ‘koli anka’ (cock fight) in Kepu in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada on Saturday.
In a press release, the police said a team went to Kepu after hearing about a group of people preparing to conduct the ‘koli anka’, for which no permission was given. When the police tried to convince organisers not to hold the event, the MLA allegedly prompted the organisers to go ahead with the event.
The police then brought in backup to take 16 persons into their custody and seized 22 hens and a few sharp objects used for the fights. Apart from the MLA, the police booked the 16 persons and also Muralidhar Pai, who allowed the use of his land for the event.
A case was booked for offences punishable under Sections 189(2), 49, 221, 223 and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
A reel about the way in which the MLA prompted the organisers to go ahead with the ‘koli anka’ went viral on social media.
Published – December 20, 2025 11:44 pm IST
