The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on whether to stay an earlier directive mandating the removal of stray dogs from public spaces in Delhi-NCR, issued on August 11 by a bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the essence of Justice Pardiwala’s ruling, citing disturbing videos of dog attacks and warning of fatal consequences. “Children are dying; the visuals are gruesome,” he told the court, urging that urgent public safety measures remain intact.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for parties representing animal welfare concerns, described the order as “bad and impractical.” Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also for the same side, disputed claims of rabies-related fatalities, while senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra argued that the situation had escalated due to “complete inaction” by municipal bodies. Aman Lekhi echoed similar arguments, underscoring the role of civic negligence.
Justice Vikram Nath, heading the current bench, noted that the immediate question before the court was not the broader debate but whether to stay Justice Pardiwala’s directive. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s counsel maintained a neutral stance, stating that the corporation would abide by “whatever the court decides.”
Following the submissions, Justice Nath announced, “Order reserved,” leaving both sides awaiting the court’s ruling on a matter that has sharply divided opinion between safeguarding human lives and ensuring humane treatment of stray animals.
Timeline of Proceedings
11:08 AM – Hearing Opens
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal remarks: “Human beings are adequately represented.”
Justice Vikram Nath quips: “We have been asked just to listen… but we are very vocal.”
11:10 AM – Solicitor General’s Arguments
SG Tushar Mehta appears for the Union government.
Frames the debate as a “vocal minority” vs. a “silent majority” of victims.
Cites videos of dog attacks; calls for their screening in court.
Reads data: 37 lakh dog bites a year (10,000/day), WHO data showing 305 rabies deaths annually, mostly children.
Emphasises segregation, not killing, of stray dogs; sterilisation alone insufficient to stop rabies or attacks.
11:20 AM – Kapil Sibal Responds
Says SG is effectively asking the court to ignore ABC rules and legislation.
Questions whether the municipal corporation has built shelters or sterilised dogs; alleges siphoning of funds.
Warns that without shelters, the order could lead to culling and disease outbreaks in overcrowded facilities.
Requests stay on Directions 1 and 4 of the August 11 order.
11:35 AM – Bench Intervention
Justice Nath asks Sibal to identify the “offending” parts of the order and keep submissions focused.
Sibal stresses practical impossibility of sheltering all strays without infrastructure.
11:40 AM – Other Counsels Join
Siddhartha Luthra: Civic bodies previously supported ABC compliance and cannot now take a contrary stand.
Another counsel: For every 24 people, there is one stray dog; responsibility lies with those defending the dogs.
11:45 AM – Delhi Government’s Stand
ASG Archana Pathak, for Delhi government, says it will follow the court’s directions.
11:50 AM – Court’s Observation
Justice Nath: The problem is due to local authorities’ inaction; rules exist but are not implemented.
Orders all intervenors to file affidavits with evidence.
11:55 AM – Singhvi’s Submissions
AM Singhvi says the order “puts the cart before the horse”; humane sterilisation and rehabilitation should come first.
Cites parliamentary data showing zero rabies deaths in some states between 2022–25.
Accuses SG of prejudicing the case; says the order ignores earlier SC rulings on ABC compliance.
12:05 PM – Final Arguments
Aman Lekhi: Unverified videos influenced a rushed order.
Colin Gonsalves: Sterilisation has reduced populations; complete eradication possible in 10 years with compliance.
12:15 PM – Order Reserved
Justice Nath: “We are only on the stay part.”
Reserves order on interim prayer for stay of August 11 directive.
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