Vijay Government Secures Supreme Court Stay Against Cow Slaughter Ban Order

Underscoring that it required "correction", the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court order directing the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered in the state on the eve of Bakrid or on any other day. The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, or TVK, government had filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court against the May 27 direction of the Madras High Court to impose a ban on cow slaughter across the state by implementing an August 1976 government order. Challenging the high court's order, the state contended that when the legislation permits the slaughter of a particular category of cows in designated places, a judicial direction contradicting the statutory provision cannot be sustained.