Animal rights activists move Bombay HC over Maharashtra order on stray dogs
Court to hear petition over misinterpretation of SC orders
The petition challenges the legality of the orders and claims they misinterpret orders from the Supreme Court
Mumbai-based animal rights activists, led by Nandita Amit Saigal, have moved Bombay High Court challenging Maharashtra government's order on stray dogs, alleging they misinterpret Supreme Court orders and trigger illegal actions like harassment of those feeding the stray animals.
The petition challenges the legality of the orders and claims they misinterpret orders from the Supreme Court
A group of animal rights activists has filed a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court, contesting two recent Government Resolutions (GRs) issued by the Maharashtra government concerning stray dogs.
In a press statement, animal rights activists say that the petition challenges the legality of the orders and claims they misinterpret orders from the Supreme Court in Suo Motu Writ Petition No. 05/2025. Activists argue the resolutions introduce unauthorised provisions, leading to illegal actions like arbitrary handling of stray dogs and harassment of feeders, in violation of animal welfare laws, it says.
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It adds that the case has been listed for hearing on January 5, 2026, before a Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice.
According to the statement, the government orders have sparked outrage among animal lovers, with local authorities in Maharashtra allegedly causing distress through aggressive measures. Petitioners seek the court’s intervention to scrutinise the resolutions’ validity and their broader impact on stray dogs and citizens, it says.
