The Supreme Court has firmly rejected a request to allow state chief secretaries to appear virtually for hearings concerning the stray dog issue. The bench, led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, insisted on the physical presence of these officials in court on November 3, citing a lack of respect for the court’s orders.
This stern directive comes after multiple states and union territories failed to submit the required affidavits detailing measures taken under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, despite a court order on August 22. The court’s impatience is palpable, highlighting repeated non-compliance from these authorities.
Earlier attempts by state governments, such as Bihar seeking an exemption for its chief secretary due to upcoming elections, were also dismissed. The court made it clear that election-related responsibilities are being managed by the Election Commission and do not excuse the chief secretary’s absence.
The Supreme Court had previously voiced concerns on October 27 regarding the states’ inaction on the stray dog problem, noting its negative impact on India’s international image. At that time, all states and Union Territories, with the exception of West Bengal and Telangana, were instructed to ensure their chief secretaries appeared in court on November 3 to account for the delays in filing compliance affidavits.
This suo motu case was initiated on July 28, prompted by widespread reports of an increase in stray dog attacks and rabies cases, particularly affecting children in Delhi and other areas.