New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made it clear that the interim order passed by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court staying the Centre’s May 23 notification, banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter, will remain in force and will be applicable throughout the country.
A bench of Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, passed this order after Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narasimha, appearing for the Centre informed the bench that the rules in the present form will not be implemented as several stakeholders have raised objections, which are being considered.
The HC had stayed the operation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules as well as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017, regulating the sale of bovine animals for slaughter.
The bench disposed of petitions filed by Hyderabad-based Mohammed Abdul Faheem Qureshi, advocate and President of All India Jamiatul Quresh Action Committee and others seeking a declaration that the rules are unconstitutional and illegal.
Senior counsel Kapil Sibal said, “We only want an assurance from the Centre that the Rules in the present form will not be implemented. A message should go out that business is not stopped and the rules will not be implemented without a re-look.”
