Supreme Court says it will issue concrete guidelines for curbing stray dog attacks, hearing on Oct 1
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed its intention to address the issue of curbing stray dog attacks in the country based on merits and to issue comprehensive guidelines rather than interim directions.
A bench comprising Justice J K Maheswari and Justice K V Viswanathan considered several matters, including a plea by the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR), which cited an increase in stray dog attacks in Kerala, particularly against children. KeSCPCR sought directions to mitigate the menace, and the statutory body filed an intervention application in a pending civil appeal where the Kannur district panchayat requested directions to euthanize suspected rabid or extremely dangerous dogs in the district. The Supreme Court is reviewing five High Court orders in this batch of cases.
Justice J K Maheswari stated, "Our intention in this case is very clear. We don't want to give any interim directions. We want to go through the statute, rules, implementation, problems, and solutions and issue guidelines. Thereby, the litigation in other High Courts can be curtailed."
A recent affidavit by the Kannur Panchayat revealed that an estimated 30 stray dog bites are reported in the Kannur district daily. The Panchayat asserted that the humane euthanization of stray dogs is the only solution to the problem.
In a joint written submission by the Kannur Panchayat and the Calicut Municipal Corporation, it was argued that the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules do not conflict with the powers of municipal authorities to manage stray dogs. There is no conflict between the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the powers to manage stray dogs under the Panchayat Raj Act or Municipality Act, according to their argument.
Senior Advocate V Giri, representing the State of Kerala, highlighted the substantial issue of conflict between the Animal Birth Control Rules and local authority statutes. "There are two main arguments—one stating that the State statute will prevail, and only those rules of the Panchayat which are 'less irksome' will apply. The other side is saying, no, we stand apart, we have our own powers," added Justice K V Viswanathan.
The court observed that the issue extends beyond Kerala, with incidents occurring in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. A counsel in court submitted, "Even in reporting and in arguments, there must be some sensitivity."
The court directed the completion of service in the matter for it to be scheduled for a final hearing. Nodal officers were appointed for both sides to compile a list of counsels who will argue and the allotted time for each.
The matter has been postponed to October 18th for further proceedings.
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Nursing college student from Kerala dies by suicide at hostel, parents allege foul play
Bengaluru (PTI): A 19-year-old student from Kerala, who was studying at a private nursing college here, allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room, police said on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Adhityan P A, a second-year student at a nursing college in Bommasandra, they said.
On April 29, he was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room, police said, adding that he left behind a suicide note stating that no one was responsible for his death.
Preliminary investigation suggested that he may have been suffering from depression, and there may have been other issues which are being probed, a senior police officer said.
According to police, in his complaint, the deceased's father, Pradeep S, claimed that a college representative informed him upon his arrival in Bengaluru that his son had died under suspicious circumstances and that it was a case of suicide in the college hostel.
"However, I firmly believe that my son would not have taken such a step. He was of good character and mentally strong. Therefore, I strongly suspect foul play in his death," he claimed.
He also highlighted an incident that occurred approximately 20 days ago, when his son informed him that some of his hostel roommates were involved in drug use and were caught by hostel authorities.
"They were warned along with my son, although he was innocent and not involved in the incident. This situation may be relevant to the present case," he stated.
The complainant has urged the police to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter and take appropriate legal action.
A case of unnatural death has been registered at Hebbagudi Police Station here. Further investigation is underway, and all allegations are being examined, police said.
