DAKSH JAIN vs THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN — T.C.(C) No. 43/2026

Summary: Supreme Court Hearing on Stray Dog Crisis ("City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price") Overview The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance on July 28, 2025, of a Times of India report about escalating stray dog attacks on children in Delhi, with a 6-year-old girl dying of rabies. The Court appointed senior advocate Gaurav Agrawal as amicus curiae to assist. Key Issues & Proceedings - Baseline Problem: Delhi recorded 25,201 dog bites in 2024; nationwide, 37.15 lakh dog bites annually; rising 50% by January 2025 - Core Conflict: Public safety (right to life under Article 21) vs. animal welfare obligations under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 - Interveners: NGOs and animal lovers challenged the Court's strict measures as violating animal welfare principles - Multiple Connected Cases: Included SLP No. 14763/2024 (Conference for Human Rights), SLP No. 17623/2025 (Reema Shah), WP No. 784/2025, and transferred cases from Rajasthan High Court Main Judicial Orders Initial Order (August 11, 2025) – Two-Judge Bench: - Directed immediate capture and relocation of stray dogs to shelters/pounds in NCR - Key prohibition: No re-release of captured dogs to streets - Mandated sterilization, deworming, and vaccination per ABC Rules, 2023 - Set 8-week deadline for creating infrastructure (5,000-dog capacity initially) - Ordered helpline within 1 week; 4-hour response to dog-bite complaints Modified Order (August 22, 2025) – Three-Judge Bench: Balanced animal welfare concerns by: - Allowing release of sterilized/vaccinated dogs to original locations (reversing absolute non-release) - Maintaining detention of rabies-infected or aggressive dogs without re-release - Established designated feeding zones (not street feeding) - Required NGOs/individuals to deposit ₹2,00,000/₹25,000 (funds for shelter infrastructure) - Permitted adoption only under strict protocols with no street re-release November 7, 2025 Order – Significant Expansion: The Court addressed the institutional stray dog crisis (schools, hospitals, sports complexes, railway stations, bus terminals) with sweeping directives: Scope: Nationwide, applied to all States/UTs Key Measures: 1. Identification Phase: Map all vulnerable institutional premises within 2 weeks 2. Perimeter Security: Secure all identified premises within 8 weeks via fencing, boundary walls, gates 3. Nodal Officers: Designate responsible officials at each institution 4. Non-Release Policy: Strays removed from institutional areas shall NOT be released back (differing from general locations) 5. Quarterly Inspections: Municipal authorities must inspect every 3 months 6. Anti-Rabies Stock: Mandate permanent stock in hospitals; school awareness sessions 7. Standard Operating Procedures: Animal Welfare Board to issue uniform guidelines within 4 weeks 8. Compliance Timeline: 8-week affidavits from Chief Secretaries detailing security measures Institutional Focus: - Schools: Guard against attacks on children; e.g., Class III student bitten in classroom in Wayanad, Kerala - Hospitals: Protect patients and staff; e.g., multiple attacks at Ernakulam General Hospital; AHPGIC cancer hospital patients experiencing delayed treatment - Sports Venues: Secure stadia; e.g., two foreign coaches bitten at JLN Stadium, Delhi during Para Athletics Championships - Transport Hubs: Protect commuters; e.g., 18 people bitten (one dog confirmed rabid) at Kannur Railway Station, Kerala; 30+ injured at Alappuzha Station in 6 months Roadmap for Implementation Phase 1 (Weeks 1-2): Identification of institutional areas Phase 2 (Weeks 1-8): Physical perimeter security; capture/removal operations Phase 3 (Weeks 4): ABC Board releases uniform SOPs Phase 4 (Week 8 This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.