38.6c New Delhi, India, Saturday, October 18, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Legal Insiders

CJI Gavai refers issue of stray dogs to fresh 3-judge bench

By Jhanak Sharma      13 August, 2025 11:57 AM      0 Comments
CJI Gavai refers issue of stray dogs to fresh 3 judge bench

NEW DELHI: In a swift development, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Wednesday referred a suo motu matter concerning stray dogs menace to a separate three judge bench and posted it for hearing on Thursday.

According to the Supreme Court's website, the matter 'In Re: City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price' would now be heard by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria on August 14.

Earlier on August 11, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had dealt with the matter and directed the Delhi government, and the municipal bodies in the NCR region to start at the earliest on removing the stray dogs from all the localities, finding the situation as extremely grim.

The court had said any individual or organisation coming in the way of removal of such stray dogs would face strict actions, including contempt proceedings.

"Immediate steps need to be taken to take care of the menace of dog bites leading to rabies," the bench had said, posting the matter for consideration after four weeks.

The Supreme Court's order spawned a series of strong reactions, street protests and criticism by a cross sections of society, including by animal rights activists. Film celebrities also appealed to the CJI to reverse the order.

Earlier on Wednesday, upon an urgent mentioning, CJI Gavai said he would look into the issue relating to community dogs, as a counsel claimed that there are conflicting directions issued by different benches of the Supreme Court.

“I will look into this," the CJI said, when the matter relating to stray dogs was mentioned before a bench led by him.

Advocate Nanita Sharma said two benches of the apex court have passed different orders on the community dogs issue.

“This is with regard to the community dogs issue. There is an earlier judgment of this court, of a bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Sanjay Karol, which says there cannot be indiscriminate killing of canines and that compassion for all living beings has to be there,” the lawyer said.

She also referred to the recent order passed by a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan when the court had ordered relocation of the stray dogs in Delhi to dog shelters and another order passed by Justice J K Maheshwari-led bench in May 2024, whereby the petitions relating to the stray dog issue were relegated to the respective High Courts.

Justice Maheshwari had said, “Under all circumstances, there cannot be any indiscriminate killings of canines and the authorities have to take action in terms of the mandate and spirit of the prevalent legislation(s) in place”.

The counsel mentioned the petition filed by an organisation named Conference for Human Rights (India), challenging a Delhi High Court's order in its PIL seeking directions for sterlisiation and vaccination of community dogs in Delhi as per the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules.

The High Court in August 2023 had disposed of the PIL without issuing any specific directions, after recording satisfaction with the steps taken by the authorites.

The NGO challenged the High Court order in July 2024 on which the notice was issued.

Disclaimer: This content is produced and published by LawStreet Journal Media for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The views expressed are independent of any legal practice of the individuals involved.



Share this article:

About:

Jhanak is a lawyer by profession and legal journalist by passion. She graduated at the top of her cl...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations

After A.K. Bassi, another CBI officer who was investigating corruption allegations against Special Director Rakesh Asthana moved the Supreme Court.

Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land

SC bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi has allotted the dispute site to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, while directing the government to allot an alternate 5 acre land within Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.

Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi

The court guided all states to document their response to the commission's report within four weeks. If any of the states fail to file a response, it will be presumed that they have no objections to the recommendations made by the commission, the court said.

Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts

On April 18, 2020, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended new Chief Justices for three High Courts. Justice Dipankar Datta was proposed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, succeeding Justice B.P. Dharmadhikari. Justice Biswanath Somadder was nominated as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, while Justice Mohammad Rafiq was recommended for transfer as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

TRENDING NEWS

father-of-deceased-pilot-in-ahmedabad-crash-moves-sc-for-court-monitored-probe
Trending Judiciary
Father of deceased pilot in Ahmedabad crash moves SC for court monitored probe

91-year-old father of pilot killed in Ahmedabad Air India crash moves SC seeking court-monitored probe into alleged biased and flawed investigation.

17 October, 2025 10:54 AM
child-cant-consent-to-sex-life-imprisonment-upheld-for-sexual-assault-on-minor-girl-madras-hc
Trending Judiciary
Child Can’t Consent to Sex — Life Imprisonment Upheld for Sexual Assault on Minor Girl: Madras HC [Read Judgment]

Madras HC upholds life imprisonment for assault on minor SC girl, reiterating that a child cannot consent to sex; school records key for age proof.

17 October, 2025 11:45 AM

TOP STORIES

sc-orders-cbi-probe-into-karur-stampede-during-rally-of-actor-politician-vijays-tvk
Trending Judiciary
SC orders CBI probe into Karur stampede during rally of actor politician Vijay's TVK

SC orders CBI probe into Karur stampede at Vijay’s rally; appoints ex-SC judge Ajay Rastogi to monitor impartial investigation into deaths of 41 people.

13 October, 2025 11:56 AM
sc-dismisses-plea-to-form-sit-to-probe-rahul-gandhis-allegations-of-electoral-rolls-manipulation
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses plea to form SIT to probe Rahul Gandhi's allegations of electoral rolls manipulation

SC dismisses PIL seeking SIT probe into Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of electoral roll manipulation; asks petitioner to approach Election Commission.

13 October, 2025 03:28 PM
sc-notice-to-centre-tn-kerala-on-plea-to-decommission-mullaperiyar-dam
Trending Judiciary
SC notice to Centre, TN, Kerala on plea to decommission Mullaperiyar dam

SC issues notice to Centre, Tamil Nadu & Kerala on plea to decommission 120-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam citing safety concerns and risk to 10 million lives.

13 October, 2025 03:32 PM
sc-rejects-singer-neha-rathores-plea-to-quash-fir-wrt-her-social-media-posts
Trending CelebStreet
SC rejects singer Neha Rathore's plea to quash FIR wrt her social media posts

SC refuses to quash FIR against singer Neha Singh Rathore over her social media post on Pahalgam terror attack; allows case to proceed under BNS provisions.

14 October, 2025 10:57 AM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email