'What about cruelty towards humans?' Supreme Court makes sharp observations in stray dog case, slams states

The Delhi government has also not filed an affidavit, and its Chief Secretary has also been asked to appear before it.

The Supreme Court on Monday has asked Chief Secretaries of all the states and Union Territories, which have not filed an affidavit in compliance with the court’s direction on the issue of stray dog menace in the country, to be present on November 3.

A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria noted that only the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and states of West Bengal and Telangana have filed their compliance affidavits in pursuance to the apex court's August 22 order. The court was hearing a suo motu case titled "In Re: City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay The Price".

Except for these three states, Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories have to be present before the court at 10.30 am  on November 3 along with an explanation as to why compliance affidavits have not been filed.

"Why has NCT not filed its affidavit? Chief Secretary to come up with an explanation otherwise cost may be imposed and coercive steps will be taken. Notices were issued to all States and UTs. Your officers don't read newspapers or social media? Everyone has reported this. Once they are aware, they should come forward! All Chief Secretaries to remain present on November 3, else we will hold the court in the auditorium," Justice Nath said, addressing Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave as quoted by India Today.

The Delhi government has also not filed an affidavit, and its Chief Secretary has also been asked to appear before it.

“Continuous incidents are happening. Your country is being shown as down in the eyes of foreign nations. We are also reading news reports," Justice Vikram Nath observed, adding: “What about cruelty towards humans?"

The apex court had on August 22 expanded the scope of the stray dogs case beyond the confines of Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and directed that all states and Union Territories be made parties in the matter.

In its August 22 order, the top court had modified its earlier direction prohibiting the release of vaccinated stray dogs from pounds in Delhi-NCR, calling it "too harsh" and ordered the canines to be released post sterilisation and de-worming.

On August 11, a two-judge bench of the Court passed directions for Delhi government authorities to relocate the dogs to shelters while barring their release. These were extended to authorities of Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad as well.