The Supreme Court on August 14, 2025, criticized a petition seeking a monitoring committee for returning captive elephants held at Vantara—calling it “completely vague.” A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale observed that allegations were being made against Vantara without even naming it as a respondent. The Court instructed the petitioner, C. R. Jaya Sukin, to formally include Vantara in the case, then return. The plea also sought rescue and release of all wild animals and birds from the facility and release of elephants to their original owners. The matter is now scheduled for a hearing on August 25. 

The Supreme Court on August 14, 2025, ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publicly release the list of approximately 65 lakh individuals removed from Bihar’s draft electoral rolls—along with explicit reasons for each deletion—on the official websites of district electoral officers . The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, also directed wide publicity via newspapers, Doordarshan, radio, and panchayat notice boards to ensure public access . Additionally, those affected may submit claims with Aadhaar as identity proof, with hearings set ahead of the August 22 next hearing.  

The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on pleas against removing stray dogs from Delhi-NCR. Justice Vikram Nath said, “Parliament makes rules, but they are not implemented,” blaming civic inaction for the problem. Lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi argued there are no proper shelters, and removing dogs could cause cruelty. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta cited 37 lakh dog bite cases last year, saying dogs should be separated for public safety. The court also questioned why dogs were taken away before the earlier order was made public. The final decision will be announced soon. (PC: NDTV)

A Supreme Court bench led by Justice Vikram Nath criticised civic authorities for failing to enforce animal control guidelines while hearing petitions against the August 11 order to move all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters. Justice Nath remarked, “On one hand, humans are suffering, and on the other, the animal lovers are here,” while Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi warned, “You cannot create a horror situation like this.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta cited rising dog bites, but lawyers Kapil Sibal and Singhvi argued the directive was impractical due to lack of shelters. The court reserved its order on the matter. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court on Thursday rapped civic bodies for failing to control the stray dog situation in Delhi-NCR and reserved its order on pleas challenging the August 11 directive to relocate all strays to shelters within eight weeks. A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath criticised authorities for poor implementation of existing laws but stopped short of staying the order. The Centre backed relocation, citing high dog bite and rabies cases, while petitioners argued it violated Animal Birth Control Rules and lacked adequate shelter facilities. The case has drawn strong public opposition and celebrity support for stray dog rights. (PC: India Today)

Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore has criticised the Supreme Court’s order to relocate stray dogs from Delhi-NCR, calling it “a door closing on the voiceless and defenceless.” In a video shared by NCP spokesperson Anish Gawande, she urged for a “nuanced and calibrated approach” addressing systemic flaws behind the so-called menace. The August 11 ruling mandates relocating strays to 5,000-capacity shelters within 6-8 weeks, with vaccination, sterilisation, and CCTV monitoring. Following public backlash, Chief Justice BR Gavai agreed to review the decision. Celebrities including John Abraham, Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Raveena Tandon, and Randeep Hooda have also voiced strong opposition. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court will hear on Thursday a challenge to its earlier order directing the relocation of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks. Chief Justice BR Gavai referred the matter to a three-judge bench after concerns were raised about conflicting rulings and the feasibility of such mass relocation. The original order, aimed at curbing dog bite incidents, bypassed the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which mandate sterilised and vaccinated dogs be returned to their locality. Activists, including Maneka Gandhi, warned of logistical, financial, and ecological challenges, urging adherence to existing compassionate, law-based animal management protocols. (PC: NDTV)

Mumbai businessman Deepak Kothari has filed a case against actor Shilpa Shetty, her husband Raj Kundra, and another individual, alleging they defrauded him of over ₹60 crore through their now-defunct firm, Best Deal TV Pvt. Ltd. Kothari claims he was persuaded in 2015 to invest ₹60.48 crore as share capital, assured of monthly returns and principal repayment. However, funds were allegedly misused for personal benefit, and attempts to recover the amount failed. The case has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing as it exceeds ₹10 crore. This adds to the couple’s legal troubles, including prior gold scheme fraud allegations. (PC: India Today)

In Jharkhand’s Giridih district, the family of 38-year-old migrant worker Sitaram Yadav performed last rites with a bamboo-and-straw effigy after failing to bring his body from Agra. Yadav, found dead in a train coach at Agra Fort station, reportedly died of lung disease. Police said they had offered to arrange return travel for a family member to identify the body, but initial denial delayed the process. By the time identification was confirmed through a tattoo, the body was cremated in Agra. Following local custom, the family used an effigy and plans to immerse ashes in the Ganga after mourning rituals. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Supreme Court will hear the Delhi stray dogs case with a larger three-judge bench on August 14, following intense backlash over its earlier order to remove all strays from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks. The August 11 ruling, citing rabies and dog bite concerns, directed authorities to round up 5,000 dogs initially and prohibited their release. Politicians, including Rahul Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, condemned the move as “cruel” and called for sterilisation, vaccination, and community care instead. Protests erupted near India Gate, with several detained. PETA India termed the order “impractical, illogical, and illegal,” demanding humane, science-based solutions. (PC: HT)