The Supreme Court on Friday (August 22, 2025) modified its earlier suo motu directive that mandated the confinement of all stray dogs in shelters across the Delhi-NCR and prohibited their release.
A three-judge Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria clarified that stray dogs may now be released back to their original habitats after being dewormed and vaccinated. “The earlier prohibition on release shall remain in abeyance. The dogs, once dewormed and vaccinated, shall be returned to the same area,” the Court ordered.
However, the Bench emphasized that aggressive dogs or those infected with rabies shall not be released into public spaces.
The suo motu case was initially heard by a Bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala, but was later reassigned by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai to the three-judge Bench headed by Justice Nath. The reassignment followed an oral mentioning on August 13, 2025, highlighting a May 9, 2024 order mandating compassionate treatment of stray canines.
In its August 11, 2025, order, Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan had directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other civic authorities to round up all stray dogs within eight weeks, house them in dedicated shelters, and not release them back onto the streets. Authorities were also instructed to establish shelters with a capacity of at least 5,000 strays within the given timeframe. (Agencies)
