The Supreme Court on Wednesday shifted the suo motu case on the relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to a newly formed three-judge bench, which will hear the matter today.
The new bench will comprise Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice N.V. Anjaria. “The judges who passed the earlier order are not part of the Bench,” the court said.
This comes after animal activists, celebrities, and some political figures objected to the order, pointing out that Delhi and other NCR cities like Noida and Gurugram lack the necessary infrastructure to carry out mass relocation within such a short time frame. Many people also argued that displacing dogs from their territories would only create space for new arrivals, stressing that the solution lies in proper implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
Earlier this week, a bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan directed all municipal bodies across Delhi-NCR to immediately capture stray dogs and move them to designated shelters. Expressing concern over public safety and the rising incidence of rabies, the Pardiwala-led bench described the situation as “grim” and said urgent measures were needed to protect children, women, and the elderly.
Directing the NDMC, MCD, and civic agencies in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad to make streets completely free of strays, the court issued a stern warning that any group or organisation obstructing the removal of these animals would face strict legal consequences.
The order triggered strong reactions, with animal lovers across the country taking to social media to criticise the decision and voice concern for the welfare of stray dogs.
On Wednesday, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai said that the Supreme Court would “look into” the issue after a lawyer mentioned a plea seeking sterilisation and vaccination of community dogs in Delhi.
The lawyer also cited a 2024 order by a Bench led by Justice J.K. Maheshwari, which prohibited the killing of stray animals and underscored compassion towards all living beings as a constitutional value.
“But the other judge Bench has already passed orders. I will look into this,” CJI Gavai told the lawyer.
—IANS
