Animal rights activists protesting against top court’s order booked

Several animal rights activists who staged a protest near India Gate against the Supreme Court’s order on stray dogs were booked by Delhi Police on Monday night.

The court had earlier directed that all stray dogs in Delhi and the National Capital Region be rounded up within eight weeks and housed in dedicated shelters to be set up by civic bodies, making it clear that no captured animals would be released back on the streets.

Following the ruling, several animal rights activists and dog rescuers gathered at India Gate to voice their opposition. Some were detained by police.

According to police, a case has been registered at Tilak Marg Police Station under Section 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A senior officer said the FIR was based on violations of law and order. “The protestors were repeatedly asked not to gather at India Gate in view of the security arrangements, but they continued their demonstration,” the officer said.

When police attempted to disperse the crowd, protestors allegedly resisted, got into physical altercations with officers and even pushed female constables. Despite repeated warnings, they refused to leave and were detained.