Concerned over the growing stray dog problem within its premises, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a fresh directive requiring that all leftover food be disposed of only in covered dustbins.
“No food waste should be discarded in open areas or uncovered containers,” the Administrative General Branch said in a circular, stressing that the move is aimed at preventing animals from scavenging and reducing the risk of bites while maintaining hygiene.
The court cited a “significant increase” in stray dog sightings, including in corridors and even inside lifts, as the reason for renewing the order, which was first issued in September last year after a meeting with NDMC and MCD officials.
The fresh guidelines come just a day after a Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed civic bodies across Delhi-NCR, including the MCD, NDMC, and authorities in Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad, to capture all stray dogs and relocate them to shelters.
Calling the situation “grim,” the Bench cited public safety and the rising risk of rabies, warning that any group obstructing the removal of strays would face strict legal consequences. The court has instructed civic agencies to ensure streets are completely free of stray dogs, build new shelters if necessary, and submit a detailed infrastructure report within eight weeks.