The Supreme Court resumed its suo motu case on stray dogs, with Justice Vikram Nath asserting, “I am the master of my own court,” refusing to follow the SOP on fixed argument timings. While Sr. Adv. Gopal Sankarnarayanan said, “time should be indicated for the arguments,” Justice Vikram Nath replied, “I am not following that so far”
The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday heard its suo motu case concerning stray dogs.
The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, decided to continue the matter On Thursday at 10:30 am, as part-heard arguments are yet to be completed.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan requested that a specific time be indicated for the arguments.
He said,
“time should be indicated for the arguments.”
Justice Vikram Nath responded firmly, stating,
“we can’t do that.”
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Sankarnarayanan referred to the recent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), mentioning,
“The recent SOP says time should be indicated for arguments.”
Justice Nath clarified his stance, adding,
“I am not following that so far. I am the master of my own court.”
Reflecting agreement within the bench on proceeding as per the court’s discretion. Justice Sandeep Mehta also noted,
“This is a common consensus,”
The hearing on this public interest issue will continue tomorrow morning, with further arguments on stray dog management yet to be addressed.
Previously, on August 22, 2025, a three-judge special bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath, along with Justices Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria, modified its earlier August 11 order that had prohibited the release of stray dogs from shelters.
The suo motu case was initiated on July 28, following media reports of rising stray dog attacks and rabies cases, particularly among children in Delhi.
An earlier order of August 11, passed by a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, had created huge controversy. That order had directed that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR must be caught and sent to shelters within eight weeks.
Case Title: In Re: “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price” Versus The State Of Andhra Pradesh
SMW(C) No. 5/2025