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India Today
8 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Why Delhi's dog lovers are questioning Supreme Court order to shift out strays
Hundreds of Delhiites gathered at Kartavya Path, the stretch between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on the evening of August 11 in solidarity against the Supreme Court judgment directing the shifting of all stray dogs from the national capital's roads to 'pounds' outside city are not known to be trigger-happy with street protests. In the past, they have taken to the streets only on a few significant occasions, such as when a court acquitted the accused in the 1999 Jessica Lal murder case, or when Anna Hazare, in 2011, sat on a hunger strike demanding a Lokpal against systemic corruption, or when a young woman was gang-raped inside a bus moving around in the city in December 2012 and died in hospital of grievous injuries. Or sometimes to celebrate: such as India winning the Cricket World August 11 protests, barely hours after the Supreme Court had pronounced the order and within an hour's notice on social media, saw Delhiites who love and take care of their community dogs convene at the Kartavya Path lawns—students, lawyers, homemakers, retired government officers et protesters had no placards or banners; more significantly, no 'leader' to shepherd them. And yet they marched in near silence. Micro influencers were out live-streaming. People sang 'We shall overcome'; candles were lit, mobile phone torches turned on. 'We will not take it (court order) lying down. What will happen to our dogs? This is a death sentence and this is unconstitutional,' said Aruna George, a 46-year-old homemaker from Saket, who had gathered with her sentiments charged up others in the crowd. 'I came directly from office just to be here so that they don't think there is no one to protest against this decision,' said Vishal Soni, a law intern from Pitampura. The police came in soon enough. A police bus unloaded lathi-wielding personnel. Some of the protesters were picked up. Others ran. The protest dispersed in about two hours. But by then, the dog lovers had registered their Supreme Court has asked the authorities in Delhi to construct 'pounds' for 5,000 dogs within eight weeks and take things forward from there. The ruling comes even as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi government had barely weeks ago firmed up a comprehensive 14-point action plan to manage stray animals in the national capital. The MCD, government as well as animal rights activists had put their minds together to chalk out action points within the ambit of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 14-point action plan has measures ranging from stricter monitoring of strays to improved infrastructure to manage them. Local-level animal birth control (ABC) committees would hold monthly review meetings while a gap analysis of all 20 ABC centres would be completed within 60 days, followed by quarterly third-party performance evaluations. A zone-wise sterilisation strategy would prioritise 70 per cent female dogs, aim for less than 1 per cent mortality and ensure 80 per cent sterilisation coverage before shifting to new areas. advertisementOnly Animal Welfare Board of India-recognised agencies with valid project certificates would be engaged, and all unregistered breeders and pet shops would be shut. Organ counting teams would be formed, fortnightly counts conducted, and dedicated helplines set up for bite or rabies complaints. Waste from meat shops and slaughterhouses would be strictly regulated, with illegal units closed, while residents welfare associations (RWAs) would designate street-dog feeding spots and form committees to settle centres would be upgraded with kennels, surgical units, CCTV coverage, mobile operation theatres and hygiene facilities, with staff sent to Lucknow for specialised training. In addition to anti-rabies shots, sterilised dogs would receive Canine Distemper Virus and Canine Parvovirus vaccines. Identification cards would be issued to authorised feeders to assist in catching, vaccinating and releasing dogs, and isolation or quarantine kennels will be established for sick, recovering or aggressive animals. The Delhi government welcomed the Supreme Court order, with chief minister Rekha Gupta saying: 'We will implement the order with compassion and keeping the health interests of Delhiites in mind.'Gupta's cabinet colleague Kapil Mishra was less cryptic: 'The Supreme Court has removed whatever little obstacle we had in solving this issue, which became such a menace because previous governments did not do anything.'advertisementAlong with Delhi, the order has included NCR (National Capital Region) cities as well, such as Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. Activists say this being the top court's order, other states and high courts might follow suit in bringing in similar rulings for their jurisdictions—effectively ending any systematic, scientifically proven solution to the problem of stray dogs.'There is already a judgment given recently (May 2024) by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by Justice J.K. Maheshwari. Now, how can a suo moto order of a two-judge bench (of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan) overrule that?' asked Maneka Gandhi, former Union environment minister and an articulate champion of animal rights in India, in a conversation with INDIA the ruling 'non-implementable' and 'unscientific', Gandhi said it flies in the face of established laws and globally recognised scientific methods of tackling stray dog populations. According to her, it would cost the authorities around Rs 10,000 crore to implement the court's plan.'It's a judgment based on suo motu cognisance taken by the Supreme Court bench, which means there was no complainant. This undid the hard work put in by the MCD, the government and animal lovers over the past many weeks to agree on the 14-point action plan,' Gandhi said. advertisementThe suo motu cognisance and ruling of the Supreme Court was prompted by the death of a six-year-old girl, Chhavi Sharma, in Delhi's Pooth Kalan. She was bitten by a stray dog on June 30, developed symptoms in late July and died. Her family alleged delays and inadequate care as her condition worsened; local residents claimed prior bite incidents by the same dog in the August 12, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, a dog lover, joined the chorus, calling the court's order 'a step back from humane, science-backed policy'. In a social media post, he advocated shelters, sterilisation and community care, emphasising that the directive undermines compassionate and effective solutions to the human-canine conflict. Delhi has 20 animal birth control centres. The city's dog population, as per a 2019 Delhi legislative assembly sub-committee estimate, is around 800,000. Chhavi Sharma's is the one suspected rabies death in the capital since 2022. Between then and last year, dog-bite incidents in the city are estimated to have risen to 25,212. This January, 3,196 dog bite cases were reported. advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delhi HC seeks ‘confidentiality' on CBI report on ‘cash-for-query scam' against Mahua Moitra
The Delhi High Court on Monday (August 11, 2025) asked the CBI and all parties concerned to maintain 'confidentiality' on the agency's report before the Lokpal in connection with an alleged cash-for-query scam involving Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra. Justice Sachin Datta gave the direction on Ms. Moitra's plea alleging that the media was alerted as soon as the CBI filed its report before the Lokpal. 'I'll make it clear saying that confidentiality be maintained. I'll dispose of the petition... There's no doubt that confidentiality has to be maintained. There is no dispute that everyone is bound to maintain confidentiality,' the judge said, adding that he will pass a detailed order. Ms. Moitra's counsel claimed that soon after the CBI filed the report before Lokpal, the development was made public to the media. The counsel said that though he was not asking for any takedown order, the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act as well as the authority's circular should be complied with. Last month, the CBI submitted its report to the Lokpal in connection with the alleged cash-for-query scam case involving the Trinamool Congress leader and businessman Darshan Hiranandani.
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Strict confidentiality has to be maintained: Delhi High Court on Mahua plea against leaks in probe
THE DELHI High Court on Monday said it will direct the CBI and the Lokpal to maintain strict confidentiality in the Lokpal-ordered probe against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in the alleged cash-for-queries row, while hearing a plea by Moitra raising objection to leaks pertaining to the investigation. Represented by advocate Samudra Sarangi, Moitra argued that because of the 'leaks' she 'can't defend these allegations in the public domain, and it's a one sided attack'. The TMC MP requested the court to issue directions to the CBI and Lokpal to maintain confidentiality, as prescribed under the rules. She is expected to make filings based on the CBI probe report before the Lokpal by August 13. Objecting to the leak of the very fact that the CBI submitted its report to the Lokpal, which was made public through media in July, Moitra also expressed an apprehension that she was unaware if the probe report too had been leaked. Relying on a June 5 circular by the Lokpal of India, The TMC leader's counsel highlighted before Justice Sachin Datta that while referring complaints/matters to the inquiry/investigating agencies, absolute confidentiality shall be maintained, in accordance with Lokpal (Complaint) Rules, 2020. Moitra, in her plea before the HC, also referred to a tweet by a journalist who posted a screenshot of an email inbox where it was stated that 'the investigation report in Complaint No. 201/2023 has been submitted by CBI which is under consideration of Lokpal of India'. Justice Datta, orally remarked that 'there is no doubt that confidentiality has to be maintained'. 'I'll direct that confidentiality will be strictly maintained by all concerned as per rules,' he said. The Lokpal of India, in March 2024, ordered a formal investigation by the CBI into the bribe-for-questions complaint against the TMC MP. Moitra stands accused of sharing her Parliament login credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who allegedly posted questions on affairs related to industrialist Gautam Adani. It is alleged that Moitra did this for bribes, both in terms of cash and expensive gifts, received from Hirananadani. Moitra had denied the allegations. The CBI has already conducted a preliminary enquiry (precursor to an FIR) in the matter which came about on the direction of Lokpal on November 8, 2023.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Mahua Moitra Moves Delhi HC Over Cash-For-Query Media Reports
Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on Monday approached the Delhi High Court, expressing concern over alleged media reports about the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitting its findings to the Lokpal of India in the ongoing cash-for-query case. Justice Sachin Datta, who heard the matter, indicated that the petition would be disposed of with directions for all parties to "strictly maintain" confidentiality. "There is no doubt that confidentiality has to be maintained. Everyone is bound to maintain it," Justice Datta remarked during the brief hearing. Advocate Samudra Sarangi, representing Moitra, clarified that the plea did not seek the removal of any media content but stressed that the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and relevant circulars should be adhered to. He submitted that details of the CBI's report being filed had appeared in the public domain soon after it was submitted to the Lokpal. The CBI is understood to have recently handed over its report to the anti-corruption ombudsman in connection with the case involving Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani. While the contents of the report remain undisclosed, the Lokpal will examine the findings and decide on the next steps. The matter stems from allegations made last year by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, claiming that Moitra had raised certain questions in Parliament in return for gifts and favours from Hiranandani, allegedly to target industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Lokpal, after a preliminary inquiry, had directed the CBI to conduct a more detailed investigation, noting that there was prima facie evidence warranting further scrutiny. In its earlier order, the Lokpal had underlined that public representatives are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, given the trust placed in them by the public. It observed that corruption undermines legislative, administrative, social, and economic institutions, making vigilance and accountability crucial. A detailed order from the High Court on Moitra's petition will be made available later.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Delhi HC calls for 'confidentiality' on CBI report on 'cash-for-query scam' against Mahua Moitra
The Delhi High Court has instructed the CBI and involved parties to keep the report confidential. This report concerns the cash-for-query allegations against Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra. Moitra claimed the media was alerted immediately after the CBI filed its report. The CBI submitted its report to the Lokpal regarding the alleged scam involving Moitra and businessman Darshan Hiranandani. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the CBI and all parties concerned to maintain "confidentiality" about the agency's report before the Lokpal in connection with an alleged cash-for-query scam against Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra Justice Sachin Datta's direction came on Moitra's plea alleging that the media was alerted as soon as the CBI filed its report before the Lokpal."I'll make it clear saying that confidentiality be maintained. I'll dispose of the petition... There's no doubt that confidentiality has to be maintained. There is no dispute that everyone is bound to maintain confidentiality," the judge said, adding that he will pass a detailed counsel claimed that soon after CBI filed the report before Lokpal, the development was made public to the counsel claimed that though he was not asking for any take down order, the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act as well as the authority's circular should be complied CBI last month submitted its report to the Lokpal in connection with the alleged cash-for-query scam case involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and businessman Darshan agency had registered an FIR on March 21 last year against Moitra and Hiranandani under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act on a reference from the was alleged that Moitra indulged in corrupt practices including, but not limited to, taking bribes and other undue advantages from Hiranandani for "compromising her parliamentary privileges and causing national security threats by sharing her Lok Sabha login credentials."The agency has submitted its findings in the case to the Lokpal, which will decide further course of action in the case, the officials who represented Krishnanagar seat in the last Lok Sabha, was expelled from the House in December 2023 for "unethical conduct", which she has challenged in the Supreme defeated her rival, BJP's Amrita Roy, in the 2024 general elections, retaining her seat in 18th Lok Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman, issued directions to the CBI after receiving the findings of its preliminary inquiry into allegations made against Moitra by BJP MP Nishikant had alleged that Moitra had asked questions in the House in exchange for cash and gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others.
