As per case facts, the appellants, who are dealers in beef and allied trades, challenged the constitutional validity of a ban imposed by the Bombay Animal Preservation Act, 1954, on ... the slaughter of bulls and bullocks below the age of sixteen years. They contended that this ban imposed an unreasonable restriction on their fundamental right to carry on trade and profession, and was discriminatory compared to dealers in buffaloes and other animals. The High Court had repelled these contentions, leading to the present appeal. The question arose whether the prescription of the age of sixteen years for the slaughter of bulls and bullocks constituted an unreasonable restriction on the fundamental right to trade under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution and whether it violated Article 14 as discriminatory. Finally, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, holding that the age restriction was reasonable due to scientific advancements increasing the longevity and usefulness of cattle for agricultural purposes up to sixteen years. It further ruled that there was no hostile discrimination, as different types of meat dealers are not in the same class, and distinctions are based on scientific grounds regarding the usefulness of different animals.