Apex court stays Madras HC order to enforce ban on cow slaughter across Tamil Nadu
GOING OVERBOARD: The Supreme Court's ruling on Monday on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu goes a long way to pacify a State Government agitated over the High Court's apparently authoritarian enforcement of a ban across the State.
NEW DELHI, Jul 13: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court’s
order directing a blanket ban on slaughter of cows and calves across Tamil Nadu.
The apex court stated that the High Court's order of May 27 required prima
facie "correction," temporarily pausing the ban while it continues to hear the
State's appeal.
The Tamil Nadu Government had approached the apex court arguing that the High
Court's order for total prohibition amounted to "judicial lawmaking".
The State highlighted that the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958 legally
allows the slaughter of cattle over 10 years old if certified by a competent
authority as unfit for work or breeding. By enforcing a strict blanket ban,
the High Court effectively overturned these statutory exceptions.
Besides, the original public interest litigation filed in the High Court had
sought only to restrict the public, illegal slaughter of cows in non-designated
places during Bakrid. However, the High Court expanded the scope of the plea
for a statewide ban, prompting the State Government to legally challenge the
ruling.
