“I will look into this”: CJI to Examine Conflicting Supreme Court Orders on Stray Dog Management

Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai said he will examine conflicting Supreme Court rulings on stray dog management after petitioner Nanita Sharma cited a May 2024 judgment barring indiscriminate killing of canines under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

This contrasts with an August 11, 2025, Bench order directing the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR, the creation of shelters, and contempt action against obstructing activists amid rising rabies deaths.

Sharma urged the CJI to consider referring the issue to a larger bench to resolve the conflict. The August order triggered protests from animal rights groups nationwide.