Cattle slaughter notification: SC issues notice to Centre

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the Central government on two petitions challenging the controversial notification 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 a 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 High Court recently granted an interim 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.