
Supreme Court To Deliver Verdict On Stray Dog Removal From Delhi's Streets Tomorrow
Justice Vikram Nath's Supreme Court bench will deliver its verdict on Friday regarding petitions to remove stray dogs from Delhi streets.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Vikram Nath will on Friday pronounce its verdict on petitions seeking the removal of stray dogs from the streets of Delhi.
The bench had reserved its order on the plea for interim relief, which questioned if immediate implementation of the directive should be put on hold.
A recent Supreme Court ruling earlier this month directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to start picking up stray dogs from all localities 'at the earliest" and relocate the animals permanently to dog shelters.
The order has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups, who argue that shelters are inadequate and ill-equipped and insist that the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which mandates sterilisation and vaccination before releasing dogs back to their original locations, is the only lawful and humane solution.
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First Published:
August 21, 2025, 19:45 IST
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News18
3 minutes ago
- News18
Delhi CM to resume official engagements from Friday
Last Updated: New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who was confined to her residence after the attack on her, is likely to resume her official engagements from Friday, officials said. Gupta, who has been staying in her official residence in Civil Lines since the attack on Wednesday morning, is also likely to return to her office at the Delhi Secretariat, the officials added further. The chief minister was assaulted by a 41-year-old man from Rajkot, identified as Rajeshbhai Khimji, during a 'Jan Sunwai' session at her camp office. The accused was arrested, and a case under various charges, including attempt to murder, was registered against him. The officials at the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that Gupta will attend an event, 'Vastrika', at the garment hub of Delhi, Gandhi Nagar, at 11.30 am on Friday. She will also attend the grand finale of 'Ideathon', an event by the industries department, at the Ashok Hotel in Chanakyapuri at 4 pm, they added. Earlier in the day, Gupta asserted that her 'Jan Sunwai' programme will be held in every assembly constituency and will not be restricted to her residence only. Stressing that every moment of her life is dedicated to Delhi, she said, 'Despite all these unexpected blows, I will never abandon Delhi." Recalling her father's teachings, she noted that women possess double the strength to overcome difficulties and must endure countless tests to prove themselves. 'I am ready too," she emphasised. PTI VIT MPL MPL PTI) view comments First Published: August 22, 2025, 00:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...


New Indian Express
3 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Will courts be powerless to intervene if Governor sits over bills passed by assembly: SC to Centre
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre if courts were "powerless to intervene" if Governor sat over bills for years, rendering the state legislature "defunct." A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai made the remark in response to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's submission that courts should refrain from interfering and passing binding directions in such a situation and a political solution can be found to deal with such an impasse. "The assembly, elected by a majority, unanimously passes a Bill, if the Governor does not exercise the proviso under Article 200, it will be virtually making the legislature defunct. The persons who are elected, what is the safeguard for them," the bench also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar told Mehta. The bench continued, "...can we say that however high the constitutional functionaries may be, if they do not act, the court is powerless to intervene in such a situation? Assent is given or rejected, the reasons we are not going into, why he has given or not given. Suppose an act passed by the competent legislature, if Governor simply sits over it for an indefinite period, what will then?" The bench is hearing a presidential reference on the question whether the court can impose timelines for governors and President to deal with bills passed by state assemblies. Mehta said courts should not lay down a precedent in "such an extreme situation" and rather an endeavour ought to be made in finding a solution from within the system. The Centre has challenged the April 8 verdict for ruling the bills pending with the Tamil Nadu Governor were deemed to have been passed. "This deemed to have been passed bill direction is violative of the constitution," Mehta said, arguing courts couldn't substitute itself to the role of another constitutional functionary. Mehta said no timeline could be fixed for President and Governor to act on the bills passed by the assembly as the Constitution itself didn't provide any timeline for these constitutional functionaries. The bench said it is not sitting in appellate jurisdiction to review the April 8 verdict. CJI Gavai said, "We appreciate your timeline argument. But, consider a situation where the Governor ought to act, but sits over four years. What happens to democratic set up or the 2/3 majority by which the state is elected and represents the will of the people?" Mehta said a solution had to be found politically and concluded his submissions on the presidential reference. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for Madhya Pradesh government, has commenced his arguments. The hearing would resume on August 26. Earlier, the bench asked the Centre if hands of constitutional courts could be tied if constitutional functionaries refused to discharge functions or there was inaction on the part of the Governor on bills passed by state assemblies. The bench made the remarks after Mehta said if some Governors sat over bills passed by the assembly, political solutions had to be explored by states instead of judicial solutions. CJI Gavai asked Mehta, "If constitutional functionaries do not discharge their functions without any reason, can the hands of a constitutional court be tied?" Mehta said for all problems, courts couldn't be the solution and in a democracy, primacy had to be given to dialogue. Justice Kant weighed in, "If there is any inaction on the part of the Governor, which can vary from state to state, and if an aggrieved State approaches the court, can the judicial review of such inaction be completely barred. Tell us what can be the solution?" Calling for some "flexibility", Mehta submitted, "Suppose the Governor is sitting over bills, there are political solutions which can be adopted. It is not everywhere that the chief minister rushes to the court. There are instances where parleys take place, the chief minister meets the Governor, he meets the Prime Minister and President and solutions are found." The law officer said there were several occasions telephonic conversations were made to resolve the impasse. "For decades, this practice has been adopted to resolve disputes, if any. Delegations go and meet the governor, President and sometimes a middle path is found," Mehta said. He underscored invoking statesmanship and political maturity to end the impasse between the state government and Governor, who is Centre's representative. "I am saying, every problem in this country may not have solutions here in the court. There are problems in the country where you find solutions within the system," he added. Earlier, the CJI said judicial activism should not become judicial terrorism. The chief justice's remark came when Mehta said that elected people who have a lot of experience should never be undermined. "We never said anything about the elected people. I have always said that judicial activism should never become judicial terrorism or judicial adventurism," the CJI told Mehta. On April 8, the apex court while dealing with the powers of Governor with respect to bills passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly, for the first time, prescribed the President to decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by the Governor within three months from the date on which such a reference was received.


News18
18 minutes ago
- News18
Wheels In Motion: Karnataka's Bike Taxis Are Back, But What About The 'Ban'?
Last Updated: Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy told News18 that while the government accepts HC's 1-month time limit to frame policy, the court didn't lift the ban or allow service resumption Open the Rapido or Uber app today and try booking a bike taxi —you may be surprised. The apps, which had suspended the service after the Karnataka government imposed a ban on two-wheeler taxis, have once again resumed operations. Bookings are now going through almost instantly, even though the ban came into force on June 16, following a Karnataka High Court directive that such services cease operations after June 15. News18 spoke to a couple of bike pilots, or captains, as they are called. When asked how they knew they could resume service, they said they were closely following the High Court proceedings. 'We knew that we would be allowed, as the HC has been sympathetic towards us since this is our source of livelihood. I have a daughter who goes to school and a younger one who is just ten months old. I have to run my family and ensure I bring food to the table," the captain said and repeatedly asked not to be named. Another bike taxi pilot from a different aggregator platform said that he was told by his friends in the Bike Riders Association that they could start operations and that the government would have to give the green signal. 'The moment I heard it, I went to my regular area where I used to get a lot of college-going students using my bike service, and I was so happy to hear that sound 'ting-ting' that told me that bookings were coming in," he said. 'Our lives matter," pleaded bike taxi riders, who had been waiting for the ban to be lifted. This was also the argument that was made in court. After a 67-day suspension, Uber and Rapido resumed bike taxi services in Karnataka on Thursday. A division bench of the High Court, consisting of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C. M. Joshi, allowed the government a month's time to frame a comprehensive policy, citing that 'lives are at stake in this matter." The government had earlier imposed the ban from June 16, with RTOs seizing bikes and levying heavy penalties, forcing aggregators to halt services. Companies then approached the court, which has now adjourned the hearing on their appeals to September 22, urging the state to treat the matter seriously as it affects the livelihoods of lakhs of people. But desperation also led to desperate measures. During the ban, riders in Bengaluru turned to contacting past customers privately on WhatsApp, offering rides using saved numbers from previous trips or by calling after parcel bookings. This unofficial workaround helped commuters avoid high auto fares but raised serious privacy concerns and remained outside legal regulation. The ban itself sparked huge outrage in Bengaluru, with many arguing that bike taxis were a faster and more economical option at a time when autorickshaw and cab fares had soared. The Karnataka High Court, too, strongly criticised the government's decision, calling its rationale 'thin" and 'legally untenable". Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru, who headed the bench, reiterated that bike taxis were not a luxury but a necessity, particularly for affordable last-mile connectivity in cities. The court also provided relief to operators by directing the advocate general to ensure no coercive or punitive action is taken against drivers for the time being. 'They have found a loophole where it is said that no coercive or punitive action is taken against drivers by the Karnataka High Court," said a source in the Karnataka Auto Drivers Association. 'The court had clearly said that while the government has been given time to frame a comprehensive bike taxi policy, no action can be taken against aggregators. That is the point they are using to resume operations." Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters, 'On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court adjourned the hearing for a month, directing the government to make its stand clear on policy, observing that in many other states, bike taxis are operational. But the court has not allowed aggregators to resume their operations. I will talk to the advocate general and seek his opinion." Summing up the challenges raised by ride-hailing companies, the bench remarked that 'a blanket prohibition is unconstitutional since bike taxis are a legitimate business. In the absence of regulations, the business cannot be treated as illegal and should be allowed. The ban is therefore arbitrary, unreasonable, and violative of Articles 14 and 19(1)(g)." 'Let's be clear. The government has been given a month. Let them come up with the policy. But instead of waiting patiently and following the rule of law, the aggregators have defied it. They have shown no respect for the law of the land or our courts. They have actually acted in contempt of court," said Tanveer Pasha, president of the Ola Uber Drivers' and Owners' Association in Karnataka, speaking to News18. Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy also told News18 that while the government accepts the High Court's decision giving one month to frame a policy, it has not explicitly permitted the resumption of services. 'We will place this before the court. Any decision on enforcement will be taken after consultations with transport department officials. We will bring this to the notice of the court," he said. Before the ban, nearly 1.20 lakh private bikes were attached to different aggregators in Bengaluru, while across Karnataka, about six lakh people depended on bike taxis for their livelihoods. After the prohibition, the Bike Taxi Association had written to chief minister Siddaramaiah and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying over one lakh gig workers had lost their right to earn a livelihood. They urged intervention to protect workers affected by the ban. The Bike Taxi Welfare Association has since welcomed the court's observations, reiterating its commitment to working with the government to ensure safe, legal and sustainable operations. Meanwhile, News18 reached out to Rapido for comments on the resumption of services, but the company has not yet responded. As the High Court reminded, bike taxis are already a legal form of transport in 13 states, and a lack of regulation cannot justify a blanket ban. 'Every trade is permissible unless specifically prohibited. You may regulate, but regulation cannot mean complete prohibition," the bench stressed, pointing out the contradiction in permitting cars and autos while barring motorcycles. top videos View all The advocate general argued that motorcycles cannot be treated as 'transport vehicles" under the Motor Vehicles Act, citing the Delhi example where the Supreme Court had held that such services could not run without a policy. But the court pushed back, asking, 'You say congestion is the reason, but is there material to show that bike taxis cause more congestion than autos? Are you suggesting that autos congest less?" The bench concluded that Karnataka has 'no policy, only prohibition", warning that the state cannot indefinitely avoid framing rules while effectively banning the sector. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18's digital platform. She has previously worked with More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Bike Taxi karnataka transport view comments Location : Bengaluru, India, India First Published: August 22, 2025, 00:12 IST News india Wheels In Motion: Karnataka's Bike Taxis Are Back, But What About The 'Ban'? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...