New Delhi, 13 July (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court's order directing a complete ban on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu. A Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath passed the interim order while hearing the Tamil Nadu government's challenge to the High Court's ruling.

The Madras High Court had, on May 27, directed that the slaughter of cows and calves be completely prohibited, irrespective of the place or circumstances. The order came while hearing a petition filed by K. Surya Prashant, General Secretary of Hindu Makkal Katchi, who had sought directions to ensure that animal slaughter was carried out only at designated locations. However, the High Court went beyond the relief sought and ordered a blanket prohibition on the slaughter of cows and calves.

Challenging the ruling before the Supreme Court, the Tamil Nadu government argued that the High Court's order was contrary to the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act. The state contended that the legislation permits the slaughter of cows above 10 years of age if they are no longer fit for work or breeding, subject to the conditions prescribed under the law.

The state government further submitted that the legal framework governing animal slaughter includes the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, and the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules. According to the government, these statutes regulate the conditions under which animals may be slaughtered but do not impose a blanket prohibition.

The petition maintained that by ordering a complete ban on cow slaughter, the Madras High Court had effectively overridden the statutory provisions enacted by the legislature. Accepting the state's plea for interim relief, the Supreme Court stayed the operation of the High Court's order pending further proceedings in the case.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar