SC to Announce Key Decision on Stray Dogs in Delhi-NCR Today
New Delhi, Aug 22: The Supreme Court will pronounce its order on Friday on a batch of petitions challenging its August 11 directive that mandated the rounding up of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR and shifting them to designated shelters within eight weeks.
A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, along with Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, had reserved the verdict on August 14. The ruling will determine the fate of thousands of stray dogs currently roaming the streets of the national capital and its adjoining cities.
On August 11, a bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan had instructed municipal bodies in Delhi to begin capturing stray dogs, giving priority to vulnerable localities. The order also directed the setting up of shelters with a minimum capacity of 5,000 dogs within eight weeks.
The directive, however, sparked strong opposition from animal rights activists, welfare organizations, and citizens. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the decision, calling it “cruel and shortsighted.” Animal rights group PETA India also condemned the move, stating that removing all stray dogs from the streets was “unscientific” and would ultimately lead to the starvation of the animals.
Public protests were also witnessed across Delhi, with groups of animal lovers staging demonstrations at prominent locations, including India Gate.
Meanwhile, the matter was also brought before Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, highlighting overlapping proceedings before different benches of the Supreme Court. Following this, CJI Gavai constituted the present three-judge bench to hear the case.
