Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) activists, led by Snehal Bhatt, had recently lodged a complaint against the circus management alleging that a number of injured animals were forced to perform in the shows.

Though, the police had registered an FIR under Section 11 (clause A,B,C,D,E) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, on July 26, the circus manager V L Rao escaped any immediate action, insisting that he was not using the injured animals for shows and was, instead, extending good treatment to them.

However, following repeated complaints from Bhatt and other sources, the police deployed a policeman in plain clothes, who confirmed that the injured animals were being used in the shows.

The police also confirmed that the animals -- two lions and two horses -- were sick with the help of an authorised veterinary doctor on Monday night.

Rao was subsequently arrested and produced before district court which fined him for Rs 250. The fine, which was not a harsh one, was slapped keeping in view Rao's assurance to take corrective measures without any further delay, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohan Jha told Express Newsline.