New Delhi, August 13: The Supreme Court has constituted a fresh three-judge Bench to re-examine the contentious issue of relocating stray dogs from Delhi-NCR.
According to the apex court’s causelist, Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria will hear the suo motu case titled “In Re: ‘City hounded by strays, kids pay price’” on Thursday.
The matter gained urgency earlier this week when a two-judge Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed municipal authorities in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad to immediately capture all stray dogs and shift them to shelters. Calling the situation “grim,” the Bench expressed grave concerns over public safety, highlighting the increasing risk of rabies and attacks on vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.
The court ordered the NDMC, MCD, and other civic agencies to make streets free of stray dogs, warning that any individual or organisation obstructing the process would face strict legal consequences.
The directive has triggered strong reactions nationwide, with animal rights advocates and pet lovers voicing disapproval on social media, arguing for more humane approaches.
Earlier in the day, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai noted that the court would “look into” the matter after a lawyer sought urgent attention on sterilisation and vaccination measures for community dogs. The lawyer also cited a 2024 order by Justice J.K. Maheshwari’s Bench, which prohibited the killing of stray animals and underscored compassion towards all living beings as a constitutional value.
Responding to this, CJI Gavai remarked, “But the other judge Bench has already passed orders. I will look into this.”
