KANEEZA FATHIMA vs STATE OF KARNATAKA — T.C.(C) No. 26/2026

SUMMARY: Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No. 5 of 2025 – "City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price" Case Snapshot Petitioner: Public Interest (Suo Moto) - Ms. KANEEZA FATHIMA filed a complaint petition Respondent: STATE OF KARNATAKA and multiple States/UTs Status: On-going with latest order dated November 26, 2025 --- What This Case Is About This is a landmark public interest litigation addressing the alarming issue of stray dog attacks and rabies deaths in India, particularly affecting vulnerable populations including children, elderly persons, and economically weaker sections. Key Triggers: - A 6-year-old girl died of rabies after being bitten by stray dogs in Delhi (Chavi Sharma) - An average of 37,15,713 dog bites recorded in India in 2024 - Over 25,210 dog bites in Delhi alone in 2024 - Rising incidents across schools, hospitals, bus stations, railway stations, and sports complexes --- Major Court Orders & Directions 1. Initial Order (August 11, 2025) The Court mandated: - Municipal authorities to immediately capture and round up stray dogs from all localities - Creation of dog shelters/pounds across NCR with capacity for thousands of dogs - Dogs must NOT be released back onto streets after sterilization/vaccination - Within 4 hours: dog bite complaints must trigger capture/response operations - Rabies vaccine availability to be ensured - Contempt warning against anyone obstructing implementation 2. Modified Order (August 22, 2025) The three-judge bench mellified the absolute prohibition on dog release: - Dogs picked up SHALL be sterilized, dewormed, vaccinated AND released back to the same location - EXCEPTION: Rabies-infected or suspected rabies dogs, and aggressive dogs must NOT be released - Created designated feeding zones in municipal wards - Animal lovers/NGOs must deposit ₹25,000-₹2,00,000 with the court - Adoption scheme allowed (with strict conditions) - Municipal helplines mandated 3. Most Recent Order (November 26, 2025) The Court issued comprehensive directions on institutional areas: For Educational Institutions (Schools, Colleges, Universities): - Secure premises with fencing, boundary walls, gates (within 8 weeks) - Designate Nodal Officers for cleanliness & dog-free campus - Quarterly inspections by municipal authorities - Remove stray dogs (no re-release to same location) - Awareness sessions for students on preventive behavior For Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities: - Maintain mandatory anti-rabies vaccines & immunoglobulin stock - Secure compounds with proper waste management - Remove stray dogs immediately For Sports Complexes & Stadia: - 24x7 security/ground personnel - Prevent habitation of stray dogs For Bus Stands, Inter-State Bus Terminals & Railway Stations: - Secure premises from stray dog ingress - Proper waste management systems - Regular inspections General Directions: - Animal Welfare Board of India must issue uniform Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within 4 weeks - All States and Union Territories to identify institutions and secure them within 8 weeks - Non-compliance subject to suo moto contempt proceedings - Chief Secretaries to file compliance affidavits within 8 weeks --- Compliance Status States/UTs With Affidavits Filed: - West Bengal, Telangana, Delhi, and majority of States (by November 2025) - UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu initially non-compliant (deadline extended) Key Compliance Gaps Identified: - Insufficient shelters/pound infrastructure - Inadequate sterilization programs - Poor coordination between agencies - Lack of dedicated feeding zones --- Court's Reasoning Constitutional Rights Invoked: - Article 21: Right to Life & Safety (citizens should move freely without fear of rabies-infected dogs) - Article This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.