Tamil Nadu News

Supreme Court on Cow Slaughter Ban

July 16 , 2026 9 hrs 0 min 45 0

The Supreme Court (SC) stayed the Madras High Court (HC) order directing a complete ban on cow and calf slaughter in Tamil Nadu.
The Madras High Court had ordered a State-wide ban on May 27, 2026, but the Tamil Nadu Government challenged the order before the Supreme Court.
The State argued that the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, allows the slaughter of cows above 10 years of age if certified unfit for work and breeding.
The Supreme Court observed that the High Court's order required prima facie correction and stayed the blanket ban.
The Court also noted that existing laws regulate slaughter in licensed slaughterhouses rather than imposing a complete prohibition.