SC Stays Madas HC Order Banning Cow Slaughter in Tamil Nadu
Madras HC had issued the order banning cow slaughter in the state on May 27, on the eve of Bakrid, on a PIL filed by a leader of the Hindu Makkal Katchi outfit
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on today stayed an order by the Madras High Court that directed banning cow Slaughter in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta gave the interim verdict on the litigation filed by the state government of Tamil Nadu, challenging the Madras HC order.
The Madras HC order had directed to impose a statewide blanket ban on slaughter of cows and calves.
Madras HC had issued the order banning cow slaughter in the state on May 27, on the eve of Bakrid, on a PIL filed by a leader of the Hindu Makkal Katchi outfit.
While hearing a plea filed by the state government, the apex court agreed to hear the matter and issued notice to the respondents.
The Tamil Nadu government challenged the May 27 order of the high court, which directed the state authorities to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered across the state either on the eve of Bakrid on May 28, or on any other day.
"We allow this writ petition with a direction to the state of Tamil Nadu to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered on the eve of Bakrid or on any other day," the high court had said.
In its petition, the state government termed the order contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958.
The Act permits the slaughter of cows aged over 10 years that are unfit for work and breeding, on the basis of a certificate issued by a competent authority.