The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the Central government on two petitions challenging confusing and the controversial banning the sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter.
A vacation Bench, comprising Justices R.K. Agrawal and S.K. Kaul, issued notice to the Centre and asked it to file its response within two weeks on the pleas. It fixed the matter for hearing on July 11.
Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narasimha told the Bench that the intention of the notification was to have a regulatory regime on cattle trade across the country. He pointed out that the Madras HC granted a stay on the notification.
One of the pleas said the provisions in the notification were unconstitutional as they violated the fundamental rights, including the freedom of conscience and religion and right to livelihood.
On May 26, 2017, the Environment Ministry issued the notification — Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 — under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
