Delhi Stray Dog Case: CJI Says ‘I Will Look Into It’ on Pending Petition
On 13 August 2025, a matter concerning stray dogs was mentioned before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai for urgent listing. The petition, filed in 2024 by the Conference for Human Rights (India), challenges a Delhi High Court order in a PIL seeking directions for sterilisation and vaccination of community dogs in Delhi under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules.
When the case was mentioned, CJI Gavai noted that another bench had already passed an order on 11 August, led by Justice JB Pardiwala, for relocating stray dogs in Delhi to shelters.
The counsel also referred to a May 2024 order by Justice JK Maheshwari’s bench, which had sent stray dog-related petitions back to respective High Courts. That order stated that no indiscriminate killing of dogs can take place, and authorities must act according to the law while showing compassion to all living beings, as required by the Constitution.
In response, CJI Gavai said, “I will look into it.”
The organisation had first approached the Delhi High Court in 2018, seeking regular sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs as per the 2001 Rules, to control their population and prevent rabies, using humane methods. In August 2023, the High Court disposed of the PIL, noting the authorities’ existing measures.
Challenging this, the NGO moved the Supreme Court in July 2024. On 8 July 2024, a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan issued notice on the Special Leave Petition (SLP).
On 17 September 2024, the Court granted the respondents four weeks to file their counter affidavit, but the matter has not been listed since. On 13 August 2025, Ms. Nanita Sharma, petitioner in person and Secretary General of the NGO, raised this delay before the CJI.
Case: Conference for Human Rights (India) (Regd.) vs. Union of India | SLP(C) No. 014763/2024
