The Meghalaya High Court has retracted its earlier order that sought Supreme Court approval to continue hearing the case, following the apex court’s directive to transfer all pending stray dog matters directly under its jurisdiction.
The Meghalaya High Court retracted its recent order that instructed the Registrar General to petition the Supreme Court for permission to continue hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning stray dogs.
This decision follows the Supreme Court’s directive on August 22 to transfer all pending stray dog cases from various High Courts directly to itself. The Meghalaya High Court has been addressing a PIL on stray dogs since 2024.
Earlier, On August 30, a High Court Division Bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji (who has since retired) and Justice W Diengdoh expressed a desire to retain the case due to the unique challenges posed by stray dogs in Meghalaya.
Consequently, the High Court had directed the Registrar General to formally approach the Supreme Court for guidance on keeping the PIL.
However, on September 26, a Division Bench led by Acting Chief Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh rescinded the order at the State government’s request. The counsel for the petitioner and the Shillong Municipal Board did not oppose the State’s plea.
The Court then instructed that the records of the PIL be promptly sent to the Supreme Court Registry.
The stray dog issue gained significant attention after the Supreme Court, on August 11, mandated municipal authorities in Delhi to start rounding up stray dogs from all regions and to create shelters within eight weeks. In response to widespread protests from animal rights advocates and dog lovers, the case was reassigned to a different Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath.
Earlier, On August 22, the three-judge Bench, including Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, modified the earlier order from August 11.
The Bench ordered that the dogs be released from shelters after receiving deworming and vaccination. It also broadened the scope of the case beyond New Delhi and the National Capital Region, directing the transfer of all related pending cases from High Courts to the Supreme Court.
The top court ordered,
“We are also informed that numerous writ petitions/ suo moto petitions are pending in various High Courts, more or less dealing with common issues. Hence, the Registry shall seek information about such pending writ petitions from the Registrar Generals of all the High Courts, and thereafter, these writ petitions shall stand transferred to this Court for analogous consideration along with the main matter,”
Advocate General A Kumar, along with advocate ER Chyne, represented the State in the Meghalaya High Court.
Senior Advocate K Paul appeared as the petitioner, while Advocate S Dey represented the Shillong Municipal Board.
Case Title: The State of Meghalaya v Kaustav Paul & Ors
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