On Thursday, in a stern message to defaulting States and Union Territories over continued non-compliance with its directions on stray dog control, the Supreme Court ordered the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs (except West Bengal and Telangana) to appear physically before the Court, refusing to permit virtual attendance.
The Division Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta made the direction while expressing displeasure at the casual approach of several States that failed to file compliance affidavits detailing measures undertaken under the Animal Birth Control Rules.
Rejecting the plea of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who sought exemption for the physical appearance of Chief Secretaries, Justice Vikram Nath remarked, “No, let them come physically. It’s very unfortunate that Court is wasting time here trying to deal with the problems which should have been addressed by the Municipal Corporation, by the State governments over the years… Parliament frames rules, no action is taken. We require them to file compliance affidavit, they are sleeping over it! No respect for order of the Court! Let them come, we will deal with them. They have to physically come and explain why compliance affidavits were not filed! And then they must file compliance affidavits.”
The Court noted that despite its August 22 direction, only West Bengal, Telangana, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi had filed compliance affidavits regarding the implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules.
The matter was listed pursuant to the Court’s earlier order dated October 27, in which it had summoned Chief Secretaries of all defaulting States and UTs after observing their consistent failure to comply with directions and file affidavits. The Bench had also expressed concern that despite prior notice, there was “no representation on behalf of several States/UTs during the hearing.”
The Court’s observations come against the backdrop of a suo motu proceeding initiated on July 28, following alarming reports of rising stray dog attacks and rabies cases, particularly affecting children in several regions including Delhi.
During the hearing, the Bihar Government sought exemption citing the upcoming state assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11. The Bench, however, was unmoved and categorically directed attendance, observing, “There is an Election Commission to take care. Don’t worry. Let the chief secretary come.”
The Bench observed, “We’re trying to solve issues which should have been solved by state governments… They show no respect for our order.” The Court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the recurring non-compliance and indicated that it would take the issue forward firmly, beginning with the personal appearance of the Chief Secretaries on the next date of hearing, November 3.
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