The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant an urgent hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the effective implementation of laws imposing a complete ban on cow slaughter ahead of Bakrid.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined the request after the matter was mentioned for urgent listing.
“You remembered this a day before. No urgency. Thanks,” the bench remarked while rejecting the plea for an expedited hearing.
Advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, appearing for the petitioner, urged the court to take up the matter urgently, pointing out that Bakrid was just two days away.
“Day after tomorrow is Bakrid. This is a plea seeking implementation of anti-cow slaughter laws. If this can be listed tomorrow,” Sinha submitted before the court.
The petition was filed by Satish Kumar Aggarwal, former vice-president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. It seeks directions for the strict enforcement of existing anti-cow slaughter laws to protect cows and their progeny from slaughter.
The plea also requests the apex court to direct state governments to formulate and notify guidelines for regulating slaughterhouses in accordance with applicable laws across the country.
While refusing an urgent hearing, the Supreme Court did not comment on the merits of the petition.
The matter comes amid heightened public and legal debates surrounding animal protection laws and their implementation during religious festivals.
