The Supreme Court has listed for Thursday a case concerning community dogs before a three-judge Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, following a recent directive to remove strays from Delhi-NCR streets.
The move comes after a Division Bench headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala on Monday ordered authorities to capture stray dogs within six to eight weeks and keep them permanently in shelters. The order sparked strong criticism from animal rights activists.
On Wednesday, a lawyer reminded Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai of a May 9, 2024 ruling, which stressed that stray dogs must be treated with compassion and protected under existing laws. That judgment, delivered by Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Sanjay Karol, stated that indiscriminate killing of canines is prohibited and that constitutional values require compassion towards all living beings.
The 2024 order was issued in the Animal Welfare Board of India’s case against People for Elimination of Stray Troubles, addressing whether central animal protection laws override municipal regulations.
