SC extends HC stay on cattle rules across country

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended to the entire country the Madras High Court order staying the May 23 notification of the Centre banning sale and purchase of cattle from markets for slaughter.
The order came after the Centre asserted that it was not seeking lifting of the stay on the notification by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court and was rather looking at it afresh by considering objections and suggestions.
A bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the statement of Additional Solicitor General PS Narsimha that the Centre would come up with the amended notification and said, “In view of the aforesaid, we find no justification to deal with it (plea).”
The court then disposed of the plea of Mohammed Abdul Faheem Qureshi, president of Hyderabad-based All India Jamiatul Quresh Action Committee, challenging the constitutional validity of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
“Needless to say that the interim direction issued by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court shall continue and extend to the entire country,” it said.
The apex court said the amended rules, to be notified later, would be open to challenge before it. “We are of the view that as and when fresh notification is issued, sufficient time shall be granted by the government for implementation of the notified amendments so that before the rules are implemented, there shall be sufficient time to aggrieved persons to assail them before us,” the bench said.
The Centre had on May 23 issued the notification banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter. (PTI)