New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the operation of a Madras High Court order directing the Tamil Nadu government to impose a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves across the state, observing that the operative portion of the High Court’s judgment prima facie required “correction”.

The interim relief came while a Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard a Special Leave Petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the High Court’s May 27 order.

State challenged blanket ban

The Tamil Nadu government argued that the High Court’s direction was contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which permits the slaughter of cows above 10 years of age that are unfit for work or breeding, subject to certification by the competent authority.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the state, submitted that while the High Court had correctly observed that slaughter should take place only in authorised slaughterhouses, its blanket prohibition on cow and calf slaughter throughout the state conflicted with the existing law.

Supreme Court grants interim stay

After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the High Court’s order and issued notice on the state’s petition.

The Bench observed that the final operative paragraph of the High Court’s judgment appeared to require correction, effectively restoring the legal position under the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act until the matter is decided.

The High Court had earlier directed the state to ensure that no cow or calf was slaughtered anywhere in Tamil Nadu either during Bakrid or on any other day.

Matter to be heard further

The Supreme Court’s stay does not decide the merits of the case but temporarily suspends the High Court’s blanket prohibition while the legal challenge proceeds.

The case is expected to determine whether the High Court’s directions were consistent with the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act and the state’s existing legal framework governing cattle slaughter.