The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court order directing a blanket ban on cow slaughter across the state. The government argued that the order goes beyond the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act.
In its petition, the state said the High Court relied on Article 48 of the Constitution while overlooking Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act. The law permits cow slaughter under specified conditions. These include cases where a cow is over 10 years old, unfit for work or breeding, and certified by the competent authority.
According to the state government, the High Court exceeded the statutory framework by directing a complete prohibition on cow slaughter instead of applying the provisions laid down in the Act.
The legal challenge follows a May 27 order delivered by a division bench comprising Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice V. Lakshminarayan. The bench directed the Chief Secretary and senior police officials to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered on Bakrid or any other day. It also instructed authorities across Tamil Nadu to issue directions for compliance.
The High Court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Surya, State General Secretary of the Indu Makkal Katchi. While delivering its order, the High Court referred to Article 48 of the Constitution and observed that Section 4 of the state law should receive strict interpretation.