1. When these writ petitions came up for admission on 31.05.2017, the learned Assistant Solicitor General took notice for the Union of India and the Ministries under it and the learned Special Government Pleader took notice for the State Government and Directorates under it. Since the learned counsel for the petitioners pressed for an interim order staying the Rule which is impugned in the writ petitions, the counsel on either side where heard on the prayer for interim order.

2. The first petitioner in W.P.(C) No.17803 of 2017 is a cattle trader, the petitioner in W.P.(C) No.17829 of 2017 and petitioners 2 and 3 in W.P.(C) No.18064 of 2017 are meat traders and the first petitioner in W.P.(C) No.18064 of 2017 is an Association of workers engaged in meat markets.

3. Rule 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017(“the Rules”) framed by the Central Government. In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (“the Act”), is under challenge in these matters.

4. Rule 22 of the Rules which deals with restrictions on sale of cattle in animal markets reads thus:

“Restrictions on sale on c