On Thursday, the Supreme Court deferred its decision on a plea seeking suspension of an earlier two-judge bench directive concerning stray dogs. During the hearing, the apex court sharply criticised municipal bodies for their inaction, calling it the root cause of the escalating problem. The matter, initially heard by Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan on August 11, had sparked widespread public outrage. Chief Justice B R Gavai later reassigned the case to a three-judge bench of Justices Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria.
The bench examined the interim plea against the order mandating the removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets. “Everyone who has intervened must take responsibility,” the court remarked while questioning civic authorities.
Representing the Delhi government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stressed the urgency, citing over 37 lakh dog bite cases annually and noting that children have died from rabies. He framed the issue as a “vocal minority” defending strays versus a “silent majority” enduring harm.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for an NGO, countered that the problem required a detailed hearing. He urged the court to halt the August 11 order until clarity on sterilisation and shelter provisions. Sibal questioned whether municipal shelters existed and pointed out that sterilised dogs should not be re-released into the community.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi added that while bites occur, Delhi had reported zero rabies deaths this year, warning against creating unnecessary panic. The court will now decide whether to suspend the contested order.