New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on Monday, summoned the chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, except West Bengal and Telangana, for not filing affidavits regarding the steps taken by them to implement the Animal Birth Control Rules.
This is regarding the stray dogs case being heard by the bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice N V Anjaria. On August 22, this bench had directed the states/UTs to file compliance affidavits.
The Court noted on Monday that save for West Bengal, Telangana and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, no state/UT had filed the compliance affidavits. The bench then directed the chief secretaries of the defaulting states/UTs to appear next Monday to explain why the affidavits were not filed. The Court also noted that there was no representation on behalf of the defaulting states during the hearing.
“Continuous incidents are happening and the image of the country is being shown as down in the eyes of foreign nations. We are also reading news reports,” Justice Nath noted.
He also specifically asked Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave why the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi had not filed a compliance affidavit.
“Why NCT has not filed affidavit? Chief Secretary to come up with explanation…otherwise cost may be imposed and coercive steps will be taken…notices were issued to all states/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 auditorium,” Justice Nath observed.
The Court was hearing the suo motu case titled “In Re : City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pray The Price”.
On August 11, a two-judge bench of the Court had directed Delhi-NCR authorities to relocate stray dogs to shelters and prevent them from returning to the neighborhoods. However, the matter was subsequently shifted to a three-judge bench which stayed the August 22 directions.
This bench noted that prohibition on release of treated and vaccinated dogs seemed was “too harsh”. The scope of the matter was expanded to pan-India, with the bench clarifying that stray dogs that are picked up by authorities shall be released back after treatment/vaccination in the very same area, in terms of ABC Rules. Exception however was carved for dogs infected with rabies, suspected to be infected with rabies and those exhibiting aggressive behavior.
All states/UTs were directed to file compliance affidavits on the matter.
