Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has signalled a possible review of the Supreme Court’s recent directive ordering the relocation of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters. Hearing a plea highlighting two conflicting apex court rulings on the issue, CJI Gavai told the petitioners, “I will look into this”.
His brief but significant remark has given hope to animal welfare groups, civic authorities, and citizens seeking a balanced resolution to the growing clash between public safety concerns and animal rights.
Judicial Conflict and Public Concerns
On August 11, 2025, a bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala directed civic bodies to capture all strays within eight weeks and permanently house them in shelters. The order came after a spate of dog-bite incidents and rabies-related deaths, including the tragic case of a young girl in Delhi.
However, this directive contradicts a May 2024 Supreme Court order led by Justice JK Maheshwari, which upheld the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. The ABC Rules mandate that sterilised and vaccinated stray dogs must be returned to their original locations, prohibiting indiscriminate relocation or killing.
As reported by Live Law Advocate Nanita Sharma brought the matter to Chief Justice Gavai’s notice, highlighting the conflict between the two Supreme Court orders. She argued that failure to adequately implement the ABC Rules and sterilisation drives has contributed to the current stray dog crisis.
Sharma cautioned that the relocation directive could overcrowd shelters, worsening animal welfare and potentially increasing disease transmission risks to humans. She also reiterated that compassion towards animals is a constitutional value and urged CJI Gavai to refer the matter to a larger bench for clarity.
CJI Gavai’s Remark and Its Implications
By acknowledging these contradictory judgments, CJI Gavai has opened the possibility of harmonising legal positions on stray dog management.
His assurance to “look into” the matter has been welcomed by animal rights activists, who call the relocation order impractical due to the sheer number of strays, estimated at nearly one million in Delhi, and inadequate shelter infrastructure.
Public health advocates, however, maintain that urgent measures are essential to prevent rabies and ensure citizens’ safety. The issue now lies at the delicate intersection of constitutional compassion for animals and the state’s duty to protect human life.
Celebrities and Public Figures Join the Call for Compassionate Stray Dog Policy
Several prominent celebrities and public figures have voiced their concerns about the Supreme Court’s stray dog relocation directive, urging a more compassionate approach. Bollywood actors like Sonakshi Sinha, Bhumi Pednekar, Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Vir Das have publicly criticised the order, calling it “soulless” and warning of the hardships this mass relocation will inflict on the dogs.
Bhumi Pednekar shared a personal story about her rescued dog, highlighting the cruelty faced by strays and urged for large-scale sterilisation and vaccination programs instead.
John Abraham penned a letter to the court and Delhi government advocating for humane solutions. Their collective voices amplify the call to balance public safety with empathy towards strays.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This moment offers an opportunity for India to rethink how cities manage urban animals in a way that is both humane and effective. While no community should live in fear of animal attacks, compassion and coexistence must remain at the heart of any policy.
The Logical Indian believes that a sustainable solution could involve improving community-based care, expanding and upgrading shelters, ensuring mass sterilisation and vaccination, and promoting responsible pet ownership to curb abandonment. Legal clarity from the Supreme Court could set the tone for all Indian cities, protecting both human lives and animals’ right to live with dignity.
