Bengaluru plans major overhaul to address rising stray dog incidents
BENGALURU :The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is preparing a comprehensive plan to regulate the city's street dog population. BBMP will implement through sterilisation, vaccination and feeding activities, according to a detailed report published in The Hindu.
According to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) figures, the city had 13,831 dog bite incidents in the first half of 2024, compared to 26,532 in all of 2023. While Officials attribute the rise to improved reporting, animal welfare groups point to loopholes in sterilization efforts as a major cause of ongoing instances.
A BBMP survey shows that the city’s stray dog population has declined from 3.1 lakh in 2019 to 2.79 lakh in 2023 due to ongoing Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes. Sterilisation rates have dropped this year after the suspension of multiple NGOs involved in the process, limited infrastructure and new guidelines mandating a seven-day post-surgery care period.
The BBMP allocated ₹60 crore for 2025-26 to extend ABC projects, implement microchipping and improve vaccination campaigns. It also intends to create veterinary facilities in all eight zones, enlist veterinary graduates in sterilization initiatives and use ring vaccination procedures to combat rabies.
The plan includes a ₹3.23 crore microchipping scheme to track sterilization and vaccination, avoiding duplication of efforts. While some activists have raised health concerns about microchipping, the BBMP cites successful pilot programs as proof of its safety.
The civic body is also scheduled to spend ₹2.88 crore on structured feeding programmes to reduce aggression among hungry strays. Complementing this is a citywide “Each One, Feed One” campaign aimed at encouraging responsible community feeding.
Experts warn that transparency in execution will determine the plan’s success. “Implementation is key to building trust and ensuring safety without cruelty,” said paediatrician and activist Hemant Kumar.
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Allahabad HC orders FIR against Rahul Gandhi in alleged dual citizenship case
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the registration of an FIR against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with an alleged dual citizenship controversy.
The court also observed that after the registration of the FIR, the state government may seek the assistance of a central agency to investigate the matter.
The order was passed by a bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi on a petition filed by S Vignesh Shishir, who had challenged a January 28, 2026 order of a special MP/MLA court rejecting his plea for an FIR against Gandhi, who is also the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The special court had earlier held that it was not competent to adjudicate on issues related to citizenship.
The petitioner, a BJP worker from Karnataka, had sought registration of an FIR and a detailed probe into the matter, levelling allegations against Gandhi under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.
The complaint was initially filed before the special MP/MLA court in Rae Bareli. However, on the petitioner's request, the high court transferred the case to Lucknow on December 17, 2025.
The MP/MLA court in Lucknow subsequently dismissed the plea on January 28, 2026, prompting the petitioner to approach the high court, which has now ordered registration of an FIR.
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