Three-judge SC Bench may hear stray dog matter; Cong to hold protest marches against ‘vote theft’

Saying dog shelters will have to be augmented over time, the apex court directed Delhi authorities to start with creating shelters of around 5,000 canines within six to eight weeks.

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan passed a slew of directions and warned of strict action against an individual or organisation in case of obstruction, which might also prompt the court to initiate contempt proceedings.

“If any individual or any organisation comes in the way of such force picking up stray dogs and rounding them up, and if it is reported to us, we shall proceed to take strict action against any such resistance which may be offered,” the bench said.

The bench further remarked if the animal activists and “so-called lovers” would be able to bring back children who fell prey to rabies.

“Will they put life back to those children? When situation demands, you have to act,” it said.

The top court was hearing a suo motu case initiated on July 28 over stray dog bites leading to rabies in the national capital.

Congress to hold ‘Loktantra bachao mashaal’ marches

Upping the ante over Rahul Gandhi’s poll rigging claims, the Congress on Tuesday announced a roadmap to take its “vote chori” allegations to the people, which include taking out ‘Loktantra bachao mashaal marches’ on Thursday.

The party also claimed that as more “evidence” of “vote chori” was coming to the fore, it seemed that it was not mere theft but “dacoity”.

Congress leader and AICC in-charge of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Kanhaiya Kumar said a “big issue” of “vote chori” has come to the fore. “Rahul Gandhi ji has put forward the truth with evidence on how democracy is being throttled,” Kumar said.

On August 14, the eve of Independence Day, there will be a ‘Loktantra bachao mashaal march’ at all district headquarters, Kumar said, adding that between August 22 and September 7, the Congress will hold “vote chor, gaddi chhorh (vote thieves, relinquish power)” rallies.

Will Bihar deputy CM respond to EC notice?

All eyes will be on Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha as the deadline to respond to a notice for allegedly having two voter cards by the EC ends on Thursday.

The Election Commission on Sunday issued a notice to Sinha over the issue, officials said.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the deputy CM has two voter ID cards and asked what action was taken against Sinha.

“A notice has been served to Sinha for allegedly possessing two voter cards. He has been asked to respond to why he has two voter IDs,” an official said here.

In a letter issued to the deputy CM on Sunday by the Electoral Registration Officer for Bankipur Assembly constituency, the ERO sought Sinha’s reply for having registered as “a voter in two different assembly constituencies and possessing two ID cards” by August 14.

SC to hear plea on restoration of J&K statehood

The Supreme on Thursday is likely to hear pleas seeking restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

A bench of Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran is likely to hear the matter, according to the causelist.

On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the revocation of Article 370, even as it ordered that assembly elections be held in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024 and its statehood be restored “at the earliest”.

Last year, a plea was filed in the top court seeking directions to the Centre for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir within two months.

The application was filed by Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, an academician, and Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, a socio-political activist.

– With PTI inputs