Supreme Court Stays Madras High Court Order Banning Cow and Calf Slaughter Across Tamil Nadu

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court’s order imposing a complete ban on the slaughter of cows and calves across Tamil Nadu during Bakrid or any other day. A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta passed the interim order while issuing notice on a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Tamil Nadu government, observing that the High Court’s direction appeared to require correction at first glance.

Supreme Court Issues Interim Stay

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice on the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the Madras High Court’s direction.

While granting interim relief, the Bench observed that the High Court’s statewide direction banning cow slaughter prima facie required “correction.”

Tamil Nadu Government Challenges High Court Order

The Tamil Nadu government argued before the Supreme Court that the High Court’s order was contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958 and other applicable laws.

According to the state, the law regulates the slaughter of animals but does not impose a complete ban on the slaughter of cows and calves.

The government challenged the Madras High Court’s order dated May 27, which was passed while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking regulation of slaughter during Bakrid.

The High Court had directed a complete ban on the slaughter of cows and calves across Tamil Nadu.

State Says Order Goes Beyond Scope of PIL

The Tamil Nadu government argued that the High Court relied on a government order that was not under challenge in the PIL.

The state submitted that the PIL had only sought the regulation of slaughter in public places, but the High Court extended the scope by imposing a statewide complete ban on cow and calf slaughter.

The government further argued that the High Court’s order violated the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which permits the slaughter of certain categories of cows in accordance with the law.

Government Raises Further Objections

The Tamil Nadu government also argued that:

• The High Court’s decision was internally contradictory.
• The order was contrary to the existing legal framework.
• The High Court incorrectly concluded that authorities had admitted that cow slaughter would take place in public places.

The state maintained that it has consistently taken the position that such slaughter would be prevented in public places and would only be permitted at designated locations that are not open public spaces.

The Supreme Court has stayed the Madras High Court’s order imposing a complete ban on the slaughter of cows and calves across Tamil Nadu during Bakrid or any other day. The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice on the Tamil Nadu government’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) and observed that the High Court’s direction appeared to require correction. The matter will now proceed before the Supreme Court for further hearing.

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