A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India convened on Wednesday to reconsider the contentious issue of relocating stray dogs in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). As noted on the court’s official website, Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria are set to address the suo motu hearing titled “In Re: ‘City hounded by strays, kids pay price’” on Thursday.
Earlier, another bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan had ordered municipal authorities across Delhi-NCR to swiftly capture all stray dogs and transport them to shelters. This ruling came amid escalating public safety concerns, particularly the increased risk of rabies. The Pardiwala-led bench characterized the situation as “grim,” insisting that immediate action was crucial to protect children, women, and the elderly navigating the streets. The court directed the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and civic agencies in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad to ensure that their streets are devoid of stray dogs. They cautioned that any organization or individual obstructing this removal would face strict legal consequences.
The directive necessitated civic authorities to commence the collection and relocation of stray dogs within their jurisdictions to designated shelters. The decision has provoked significant backlash from various societal factions. Animal advocates nationwide expressed their dismay over the Supreme Court’s ruling, taking to social media to voice their concerns for these voiceless creatures.
Earlier in the day, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai indicated that the Supreme Court would examine the matter in response to a legal plea regarding the sterilization and vaccination of community dogs in Delhi. The attorney also referenced a 2024 ruling by another bench led by Justice J.K. Maheshwari, which prohibited the killing of stray animals while emphasizing compassion toward all living beings as a fundamental constitutional principle. In response to this, CJI Gavai remarked, “But the other judge bench has already passed orders. I will look into this.”
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/08/13/3-judge-sc-bench-to-hear-afresh-issue-of-strays-in-delhi-ncr/
Category: NATIONAL,News Alert
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-08-13 22:02:00
