A rooster recovered during an illegal cockfight competition in Punjab's Bathinda district a few days ago will be presented before a court as case property when the hearing on the matter takes place.

Three organisers of the cockfight competition -- a banned sport -- at Balluana on the outskirts of Bathinda were booked on January 21, police said on Thursday.

The police said they received information about certain residents of the village of Balluana who were allegedly organising cockfighting tournaments in the area.

Following a raid, police recovered the rooster from Rajwinder Singh, alias Raju, one of three organisers, assistant sub-inspector Nirmaljit Singh said.

Some trophies, which were to be given to winning owners of roosters, were also recovered, police said.

Police have given the rooster to a local breeder who is taking care of the bird.

"We will present the rooster in a court whenever hearing takes place in the case," said Nirmaljit Singh, adding the rooster was a 'case property' in the matter. Case property refers to any property that comes into the possession of police in connection to an offence.

The case was registered against Rajwinder Singh, Jagsir Singh and Gurjit Singh under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act at Sadar police station. All three are out on bail.