Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Supreme Court Orders Physical Appearance of Chief Secretaries on Stray Dog Issue
The Supreme Court is very unhappy with government officials called Chief Secretaries for not following its orders about stray dogs.
Most of them did not send the required reports on time.
Even though one official asked if they could send their reports from home using a computer, the judge said no.
They must come to the court in person on November 3.
The judge feels this shows they don't respect the court's rules.
The court wants to understand why these officials have ignored this problem for so long and why they didn't send their reports.
This is part of a bigger effort by the court to solve the stray dog issue across the country.
Supreme Court mandates physical appearance of Chief Secretaries from most States and UTs on November 3.
Justices expressed strong dissatisfaction with the continued inaction and disregard for court orders regarding the stray dog menace.
Solicitor General's request for exemption from physical appearance and suggestion for video conferencing was denied.
The court highlighted that states and UTs have been 'sleeping over' the issue and failing to submit required compliance affidavits.
Only Chief Secretaries of Telangana and West Bengal are exempted from the physical appearance directive.
- Who
- Supreme Court (Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta), Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories (except Telangana and West Bengal), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
- What
- The Supreme Court reiterated its order for the physical appearance of Chief Secretaries of most States and UTs on November 3 to explain their failure to file compliance affidavits regarding the stray dog menace.
- When
- The directive was reiterated on Friday, October 31st. Physical appearance is mandated for November 3rd. The initial direction for affidavits was on October 27th.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- To address the prolonged inaction and disregard for court orders by state and municipal governments concerning the stray dog menace and the implementation of relevant rules.
Solicitor General's Request
Supreme Court's Directive
Mode of Appearance
Solicitor General's Request
Requested exemption from physical appearance for Chief Secretaries, suggesting appearance via video conferencing.
Supreme Court's Directive
Refused the request for virtual appearance, reiterating the mandate for physical presence on November 3.
Compliance with Orders
Solicitor General's Request
Implicitly sought leniency regarding the delayed filing of compliance affidavits.
Supreme Court's Directive
Expressed strong displeasure, stating that states have been 'sleeping over' the issue and showing no respect for court orders.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Mandatory Appearance Date
- November 3
- Subject Matter
- Stray dog menace and compliance with court orders
- Exempted States/UTs
- Telangana, West Bengal
- Reason for Court Intervention
- Failure of states/UTs to file compliance affidavits and address the stray dog menace.
Sources
Stray Dogs Case: No Respect for Court's Order; Chief Secretaries to Appear Physically: SC
'No Respect For Orders': Top Court Urges Chief Secretaries To Appear Physically In Stray Dogs Case
Stray dog case: Babus sleeping, says angry SC
Stray dog case: SC refuses to let chief secretaries appear virtually, says ‘let them come physically’
'Affecting India's image in foreign nations' eyes': Supreme Court orders Chief Secretaries of states, UTs to appear in person over stray dog case
Stray dogs case: Supreme Court slams states for ‘no respect’ to orders, says chief secretaries must appear physically
'No Respect For Order': SC Refuses to Exempt Chief Secretaries from Physical Appearance in Stray Dogs Case
Stray dogs case: Supreme Court raps chief secretaries for ‘sleeping over orders’, rejects virtual appearance request
Stray dogs case: SC declines request to exempt in-person appearance of state chief secretaries
