THE PUDUCHERRY ANIMALS AND BIRDS SACRIFICES PROHIBITION ACT, 1965. (No. 8 of 1965)
AN ACT to prohibit the sacrifice of animals and birds in or in the precincts of Hindu temples in the Union territory of Puducherry. WHEREAS it is expedient to prohibit the sacrifice of animals and birds in or in the precincts of Hindu temples in the Union territory of Puducherry. BE it enacted by the Legislative Assembly in the Sixteenth Year of the Republic of India as follows: -
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the Puducherry Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1965.
(2) It extends to the whole of the Union territory of Puducherry.
(3) It shall come into force at once.
2. Definitions. – In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context ---
(i) “precincts” in relation to a temple, includes all lands and buildings near a temple, whether belonging to the temples or not, which are ordinarily used for purposes connected with the worship whether conducted inside the temple or outside and in particular the mandapams, prakarams, back-yards of the temple by whatever name called, and also the ground on which the temple car ordinarily stands;
(ii) “sacrifice” means the killing or maiming of any animal or bird for the purpose or with the intention, of propitiating any deity;
(iii) “temple” means a place by whatever designation known, used as a place of public religious worship, and dedicated to, or for the benefit of or used as of right by, the Hindu Community or any section thereof, as a place of public religious worship.
3. Sacrifice in temple or its precincts prohibited. – No person shall sacrifice any animal or bird in any temple or its precincts.
4. Officiating at sacrifice, etc., prohibited. – No person shall ---
(a) officiate or offer to officiate at, or
(b) perform or offer to perform, or
(c) serve, assist or participate, or offer to serve, assist or participate in, any sacrifice in any temple or its precincts.
5. Temple or its precincts not to be allowed to be used for sacrifice. – No person shall knowingly allow any sacrifice to be performed at any place which --
(a) is situated within any temple or its precincts; and
(b) is in his possession or under his control.
6. Penalties. –
(1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 3 shall be punished with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees.
(2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 4 shall be punished with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees: Provided that if the offender is an officer, servant, authority, trustee or priest of the temple or the holder of an office in receipt of emoluments or perquisites for the performance of any service in the temple, he shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees or with both.
(3) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 5 shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees or with both.
7. Enquiry and trial. – No offence punishable under this Act shall be enquired into or tried by any court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the first or second class.