JUDGMENT

Kirpal, J.-Leave granted.

2. The challenge in this appeal is to the validity of the M.P. Krishik Pashu Parirakshan (Sanshodhan) Adhiniyam, 1991 (hereinafter referred to as the Amending Act ) by virtue of which a total ban has been imposed on the slaughter of the buls and bullocks in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

3. The appellant is engaged in the butcher s trade in Jabalpur and, according to him, he mainly slaughters bulls and bullocks which are unfit either for breeding, draught or milch purposes. These animals are slaughtered only after they are certified as fit for slaughter by the Municipal Corporation of Jabalpur in the State of Madhya Pradesh, which has a meat market where the meat is sold under a licence granted by the Corporation. It is alleged that the appellant s family is engaged in the butcher s trade for the past several generations and this vocation is the only source of livelihood of the family.

4. Prior to the passing of the amending Act, sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the M.P. Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1959 prohibited slaughter of certain types of agricultural cattle. This provision was as under :-

"4. Prohibition of Slaughter of Agricultural Cattl