Actor and animal rights advocate John Abraham has urged the Chief Justice of India to review the Supreme Court’s directive ordering the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks. In his letter, Abraham called the order “illegal, impractical, and inhumane,” warning that displacement would worsen public health risks. He emphasized that community dogs are territorial and help prevent the entry of unvaccinated, aggressive newcomers. Citing WHO guidelines and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, he advocated sterilization and vaccination over relocation. Abraham highlighted successful ABC programs in Jaipur and Lucknow and stressed that Delhi’s estimated 10 lakh dogs cannot be humanely or practically sheltered en masse. (PC: M9 News & NDTV)

The Supreme Court has endorsed the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) stance that Aadhaar cannot be accepted as conclusive proof of citizenship. During hearings on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, Justice Surya Kant stated that Aadhaar must be independently verified, even when submitted with other documents like ration cards. Petitioners, including senior advocate Kapil Sibal, warned that the EC’s process could lead to mass voter exclusions, especially among those unable to submit fresh forms. The court questioned the alleged deletion of 65 lakh names and emphasized the need for legal authority in the verification process. The bench also sought clarity on whether the SIR exercise aligns with constitutional provisions. (PC: Wikipedia)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said no action should be taken for now against owners of 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi. The order came while hearing the Delhi government’s plea challenging the ban, which it argued should be based on pollution levels and mileage, not age. Chief Justice BR Gavai said the matter will be heard again in four weeks. Delhi’s environment minister called the decision a “big relief” for residents. The old vehicle ban dates back to 2015, when the National Green Tribunal issued restrictions to reduce pollution, and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. (PC: AFP)

Police on Monday detained animal rights activists, rescuers, and dog lovers protesting at India Gate against the Supreme Court order to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks. Protesters said they were being punished for feeding and caring for animals. The court, led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, ordered all localities to be cleared of stray dogs, with no captured dog to be released back. It warned of contempt action against anyone obstructing the drive. Authorities were told to set up shelters with enough staff to sterilise and vaccinate the dogs. (PC: ANI)

An India Today check of two MCD-run dog sterilisation centres in Delhi has found overcrowding, poor hygiene, and missing staff. The inspection followed a Supreme Court order to capture, sterilise, and permanently shelter 5,000 stray dogs in Delhi-NCR within six weeks. At Lajpat Nagar, the centre was locked and staff unresponsive. In Masoodpur, records were missing, kennels overcrowded, and food left uncovered. The Tughlaqabad centre kept dogs far longer than rules allow. Delhi has no dedicated dog shelters, and experts warn the current facilities cannot meet sterilisation targets, raising doubts about the city’s ability to follow the court’s directive. (PC: India Today)

The Bombay High Court has ruled that having an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or voter ID does not make a person an Indian citizen. The court denied bail to Babu Abdul Ruf Sardar, accused of illegally entering India from Bangladesh and using fake documents, including an Indian passport. Justice Amit Borkar said the Citizenship Act, 1955, clearly defines who can be a citizen and how citizenship is acquired. These ID cards are only for identification or services, not proof of nationality. The court said Sardar could abscond if freed. He faces charges under several laws for forgery and illegal stay. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Bollywood stars have spoken out against the Supreme Court’s order to remove all street dogs from Delhi-NCR. John Abraham wrote to the Chief Justice, saying, “These are not strays but community dogs… very much Delhiites in their own right.” Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan called the move “a death sentence for all dogs,” adding, “They call it a menace. We call it a heartbeat.” Vir Das urged residents to “adopt an indie off the streets,” saying they give “more love and gratitude than you could ever imagine.” The court has directed shelters for 5,000 dogs within eight weeks. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court’s order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks has been deemed “mission impossible” by experts and civic authorities. With an estimated one million stray dogs and only 20 sterilization centers that can house 3,500–4,000 dogs temporarily, Delhi lacks the infrastructure, manpower, and funding to execute the directive. Feeding alone could cost ₹3 crore daily, while permanent sheltering would require thousands of crores and acres of land. Animal activists warn of zoonotic disease outbreaks and the “vacuum effect,” where displaced dogs are replaced by more aggressive ones. Maneka Gandhi called the order “impractical,” urging reinforcement of sterilization and vaccination programs instead of mass relocation. (PC: NDTV & India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has responded to the Supreme Court’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks, calling the measure “a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy.” He insisted, “these voiceless souls are not ‘problems’ to be erased,” urging authorities to prioritise shelters, sterilisation, vaccination, and community care. Gandhi stressed that public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand, criticising the blanket removal as “cruel” and emphasizing compassion over coercion. Animal rights groups have echoed his concerns, warning that the policy could inflict unnecessary chaos and suffering on both residents and animals. (PC: X)

A Thrissur woman has alleged that nine fake votes were registered at her flat without her knowledge, sparking demands for a probe into alleged voter list manipulation. Prasanna, owner of a Poonkunnam apartment, said only her name is valid for voting in Thrissur, yet nine unfamiliar names appeared at her address. The CPM claims vacant flats in the area were misused to transfer votes from other districts, linking it to BJP’s lone Kerala seat win in 2024. Opposition leaders, including VD Satheesan, accused the BJP of undermining democracy and called for Election Commission accountability in ensuring free and fair polls. (PC: India Today)