The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the operative portion of a Madras High Court order that had effectively imposed a statewide prohibition on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu, granting interim relief to the state government. The Tamil Nadu government had challenged the High Court's ruling, arguing that it was inconsistent with the state's existing legal framework governing cattle slaughter.
The dispute originated from a public interest litigation filed in May, seeking a complete ban on cow slaughter across Tamil Nadu. While hearing the petition, the Madras High Court observed that cow slaughter was not an essential religious practice and referred to Article 48 of the Constitution, which encourages the preservation of cattle. The court also remarked that restricting cow slaughter could help improve milk production and strengthen the rural economy.
Opposing the verdict before the Supreme Court, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Tamil Nadu government, contended that existing laws regulate the conditions and procedures for slaughtering cattle but do not impose a blanket prohibition. He argued that the High Court had exceeded its jurisdiction by effectively creating a new legal restriction, a function reserved for the legislature.
Under the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, cattle aged ten years or older and those permanently unfit for breeding or agricultural work may be slaughtered subject to statutory conditions. The state maintained that the High Court's direction conflicted with this law.
While granting interim relief, the Supreme Court observed that the final paragraph of the High Court's judgment, which directed a statewide ban, appeared to require modification. Consequently, the apex court stayed that portion of the order pending further consideration of the matter.
