Supreme Court Stays Madras High Court Order Banning Cow Slaughter in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has stayed the Madras High Court's order imposing a blanket ban on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu. The interim relief was granted on a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the respondents in the case.

In its May 27 order, the Madras High Court had directed the state to ensure that no cows or calves were slaughtered on the eve of Bakrid or on any other day. The Supreme Court observed that the concluding portion of the High Court's order required modification.

The Tamil Nadu government argued that the High Court's direction was contrary to the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958. It submitted that the law permits the slaughter of cows above the age of 10 years that are no longer fit for work or breeding, provided a certificate is obtained from the competent authority.

The High Court had passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by K Surya Prashanth, General Secretary of the Hindu Makkal Katchi, seeking directions to ensure that animals are slaughtered only in licensed slaughterhouses.

However, the Tamil Nadu government contended that the High Court had gone beyond the scope of the petition by effectively imposing a statewide blanket ban on cow slaughter.