Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath, known for his candid remarks, said the ongoing “stray dog” case has unexpectedly made him well known in civil society circles across the world.

Speaking at a regional conference on human-wildlife conflict organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in Thiruvananthapuram, he remarked that while he was long recognised within the legal fraternity, it was the dog-related case that brought him wider attention.

“For a long time, I have been known in the legal fraternity for my odd jobs, but I am grateful to stray dogs for giving me recognition not only in this country but globally. And I am grateful to our Chief Justice for assigning me this case,” Justice Nath said. He is in line to become the Chief Justice of India in 2027.

He added that even at international conferences, lawyers, including senior bar leaders, have been asking him about the case. “I am also getting messages that, apart from dog lovers, dogs themselves are giving me blessings and best wishes,” he said with a touch of humour.

The Stray Dog Order

On August 22, a three-judge bench led by Justice Nath modified an earlier August 11 ruling that had prohibited the release of captured stray dogs from shelters in Delhi and neighbouring areas. The revised order allows sterilised and vaccinated dogs to be released back into the same localities from where they were picked up.

However, the court clarified that the relaxation does not apply to rabid or aggressive animals. The bench, also comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, said the earlier order was “too harsh” and needed reconsideration.

The matter originated from a suo motu case taken up by the Supreme Court on July 28 after reports highlighted the rising number of stray dog bite incidents, particularly among children, in Delhi.

Source: NDTV | Image Source: Google | Image Credit: Respective Owner