Tamil Nadu: The Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu authorities to strictly enforce rules prohibiting cow slaughter in public spaces or any non-designated areas during Bakrid (Eid-ul-Zuha) celebrations. The court emphasized that slaughter activities must be confined only to legally approved slaughterhouses or officially designated locations.
The order was issued on Wednesday by a bench comprising Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan.
Court Directs Top Officials to Ensure Compliance
The bench instructed the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to ensure that no cow slaughter takes place in public places or unauthorized locations during the festival period.
The court made it clear that statutory provisions governing animal slaughter must be strictly followed by the state authorities.
“Slaughter cannot be done in any place you want… The question of carrying out slaughter in a non-designated place does not arise at all,” the court observed, stressing that enforcement agencies are duty-bound to implement the law.
Read also: Supreme Court Collegium Clears 19 Names for Madras High Court Judges — Full List Inside
Petition Raises Concerns Over Temporary Slaughter Sheds
The case came up after a petition filed by Coimbatore resident K. Surya, who alleged that local authorities were facilitating cow and calf slaughter in locations that had not been officially designated as slaughterhouses.
The petitioner also claimed that “temporary sheds” were being set up with administrative approval for slaughter during Bakrid. He had reportedly submitted a representation to the local police and district collector on May 18 seeking intervention to stop such arrangements and protect cattle allegedly brought for illegal slaughter. However, he received no response.
Government’s Stand on Temporary Designated Sites Questioned
In response, Coimbatore police filed an affidavit stating that certain temporary sites had been earmarked for slaughter during the festival period.
However, the court questioned how such temporary sheds could be considered lawful under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, which require slaughter to be conducted only in designated and approved places.
The bench further noted that police authorities do not have the jurisdiction to independently declare slaughtering areas.
Tamil Nadu Law and Previous Legal Orders
The court referred to a 2020 Division Bench ruling and a 1976 Government Order related to cow slaughter regulations in Tamil Nadu.
It clarified that while there is no absolute ban on cow slaughter in the state, it is strictly regulated and permitted only when legal conditions and statutory requirements are satisfied.
The court reiterated that any violation of designated slaughter norms would render the activity impermissible under law.
Court Emphasizes Strict Enforcement During Festival Period
The High Court concluded by directing state authorities to ensure proper enforcement of existing laws during Bakrid celebrations, reinforcing that slaughter must only occur in lawful and designated facilities.
The ruling is expected to guide district administrations across Tamil Nadu in regulating slaughter-related activities during the festival period.
