Digital Desk, New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Monday made strong remarks against animal activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi. The top court questioned his body language and statements over his comments in the stray dogs case during a podcast.
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria said that it was the greatness of the court that it did not take contempt action. The court also said that he was serious when he said that dog feeders should be held responsible for attacks by stray dogs.
Supreme Court commented strongly on Maneka Gandhi's statements
The court told Gandhi's lawyer Raju Ramachandran, 'Some time ago, you were telling the court that we should be careful. Have you found out what kind of comments your clients are making?
Your client has committed contempt. We are not paying attention to that. This is our greatness. Have you listened to his podcast? Have you seen his body language? What she says and how she says it.
The bench said, 'You commented that the court should be cautious. On the other hand, your client is making all kinds of comments whatever she wants and on whomever she wants.
Feeders will be held responsible for stray dog attacks
Advocate Ramachandran declined to comment on the court's observations as it was not a contempt hearing. He started talking about rabies control measures, availability of vaccine and capacity building of professionals to deal with stray dog attacks.
The court replied, 'Since your client is an animal rights activist, she was a cabinet minister, what is the contribution of your client in the budget allocation for implementing these schemes?'
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, said that sterilization reduces aggression of stray dogs, but no effective sterilization is being implemented in most cities.
He then said that the court's comments can sometimes lead to unfortunate consequences. 'For example, your Lordship said that feeders should be held responsible for dog bites.
शायद यह व्यंग्य था।' Justice Nath replied, 'No, we did not say this jokingly. हमने यह बहुत गंभीरता से कहा था।
Bhushan replied that people feeding dogs were being attacked and the attackers were citing these comments. The bench said that these comments were oral arguments during a conversation with the lawyer.
Court considered Maneka Gandhi's podcast as contempt
Ramachandran said that these comments are being shown on television and it is the responsibility of both the Bar and the Bench. To this the bench replied, 'Yes, that is why we are restraining ourselves from making any further comments.'
During the hearing of the case last week, the court had said that it would ask state governments to pay hefty compensation for every stray dog attack that results in death or injury to children or the elderly.
Also, responsibility and accountability will be fixed on those who feed these stray dogs. The bench asked, 'If you love these animals so much, why don't you take them to your home? Why do these dogs roam around and bite people?
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