This comment of the court not only surprised the petitioners, but also gave a new turn to the ongoing debate on the issue of stray dogs. ‘First we will show the video, then we will tell what humanity is’, this sentence was most discussed during the hearing.
What is the whole matter?
In fact, through a petition in the Supreme Court, it was demanded that the incidents of biting by stray dogs should be immediately monitored by taking suo moto. The petitioners allege that after the Supreme Court’s order of 7 November 2025, MCD has made such rules, which come under the purview of cruelty to animals.
What did Kapil Sibal say in the hearing?
Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal told the bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta that the special bench of three judges which was supposed to hear the case earlier could not sit on Thursday. He urged the court to list the case immediately. Because MCD is preparing to implement new rules.
Why did the court refuse to hear immediately?
Justice Vikram Nath clarified that now the hearing of this case will be held on January 7, 2026. He said that the court will not intervene at this time. When Sibal described the rules as very inhumane, the court said ‘Okay, let them do it, we will see.’
Judge’s sharp comment on humanity
During the hearing, Justice Sandeep Mehta made a strong comment and said that ‘humanity’ will be defined in the next hearing. He said, ‘On the next date we will play a video for you and then ask what humanity is.’ On this, Kapil Sibal also said that the petitioners will also be ready with the video showing the ground situation.
Why questions are being raised on MCD rules
The petitioners say that the rules made by MCD are against the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. They allege that the corporation does not have enough shelters, yet dogs are being removed on a large scale.
What does the Supreme Court order of November 7 say?
The Supreme Court had ordered on 7 November 2025 that stray dogs should be removed from schools, colleges, hospitals, bus depots, railway stations and sports complexes. The court had clearly said that even after sterilization and vaccination, the dogs should not be left back at the same place, but should be kept in the designated shelter.
Where is the root of the dispute?
This whole issue started when incidents of stray dog bites increased and a six-year-old girl died. After this the court adopted a strict stance. However, animal rights organizations called it cruel and against the law. After this the case was removed from one bench and handed over to another bench.
Now the next hearing of this case will be on January 7, 2026. Then the court will consider in detail the video footage, ground conditions and the validity of the rules. Till then, MCD’s steps and their impact will remain under watch.
