Hyderabad, Jan. 16 -- Hundreds of crores of rupees allegedly changed hands in the conduct of cockfights, a traditional sport during the Sankranti festivities, in different parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday and Thursday, defying directions from the state high court and restrictions imposed by the police, people familiar with the matter said.

Hundreds of makeshift arenas, resembling cricket stadiums, were set up across the Godavari belt for the blood sport, in which two trained roosters fitted with razor-sharp blades and knives on their legs are pitched against each other for a fight. The fight continues till one of the cocks either dies or backs off.

"At least Rs.1,000 crore change hands in a span of three days of festival, wh...