Blurb: 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 on the eve of Bakrid, or on any other day.

New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court’s order directing the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered in the state on Bakrid or any other day.

The apex court said the High Court’s directions required correction and suspended their operation until further orders.

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the respondents after the Tamil Nadu government challenged the High Court’s ruling. The state argued that the order imposed a blanket ban that went beyond the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958.

According to the state government, the Act allows the slaughter of cattle under specific conditions. It permits slaughter if an animal is more than 10 years old or is no longer fit for breeding or agricultural work, provided it is certified by the competent authority.

The dispute arose from a May 27 order of the Madras High Court, which directed officials to prevent the slaughter of cows and calves across Tamil Nadu. While the High Court said slaughter could take place only in authorised slaughterhouses, it also ordered that no cow or calf should be slaughtered on Bakrid or any other day.

The Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court that these directions were contradictory and exceeded the legal limits set by the 1958 Act. It argued that the High Court had gone beyond its powers by imposing a complete ban not provided under existing law.

The state argued the High Court’s blanket ban exceeded the law and urged the Supreme Court to cancel the directions.