Big Relief to Vijay Govt: Supreme Court Stays Madras HC’s Statewide Cow Slaughter Ban in Tamil Nadu

Supreme Court stays Madras HC's statewide cow slaughter ban in Tamil Nadu, granting interim relief to CM Vijay's TVK government.

Post Published By: Sofia Babu Chacko

Updated : 13 July 2026, 4:09 PM IST

Supreme Court has stayed Madras High Court's blanket ban on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu (Sources IG CMOtamilnadu)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's TVK-led government has a big win today. On Monday, Supreme Court stayed the Madras High Court's order of a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves in the state.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the interim order while issuing notice on a Special Leave Petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging High Court's ruling. Regarding the case, apex court said that the final portion of the order restraining the slaughter across the state seemed to demand a second look.

What Madras High Court said?

Madras High Court had, on May 27 told the state to ensure that no cow or calf should be slaughtered anywhere in Tamil Nadu either on the eve of Bakrid or any other day. The directive was given after hearing a public interest litigation by a petition urged to allow slaughter only in certain slaughterhouses in Coimbatore.

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Why does Vijay Govt oppose HC ruling?

Challenging the decision, the Tamil Nadu government said the High Court had overstepped its jurisdiction by issuing a blanket ban on the slaughter of cattle throughout the state. It said the order conflicted with the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which authorises the slaughter of cows earlier than 10 years of age, if they are declared unfit for work or for breeding by the competent authority.

It further said the existing laws prohibited the slaughter of cattle only in terms of where and how the animals are to be slaughtered, but did not prohibit it altogether. It added that the judgment was internally inconsistent, as the High Court allowed the slaughter only at licensed and registered abattoirs, yet prohibited the slaughter of cows and calves altogether.

Government said the High Court was wrong in insisting that authorities had authorised public slaughter of cattle. It said the police had already taken steps to prevent any potential people’s sacrifice from taking place in public, but have ensured it will take place in enclosed, designated areas only.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi has appeared for the Tamil Nadu government in the case before the apex court. It will now hear the state’s plea to quash the High Court ruling.