The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea alleging that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann misrepresented a recent judicial order by claiming the apex court has given a “free hand” to kill stray dogs.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta firmly declined to hear the matter, directing the petitioner to approach the regional high court instead.
“Just because a chief minister makes a statement, does that mean we have to change our order?” the bench observed during the presentation of the matter. “You go to the Punjab High Court… We are not entertaining your mentioning.”
The Controversy Surrounding the Tweet
The issue was brought before the Supreme Court by a counsel who argued that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had posted a tweet following the apex court’s landmark May 19 order on stray dogs. According to the counsel, the Chief Minister allegedly tweeted that the Supreme Court “has given a free hand to kill stray dogs.”
The petitioner’s counsel further claimed that stray dogs were actively being killed on the ground following the dissemination of the top court’s order and the subsequent political remarks.
The Context: What the Supreme Court Actually Ruled
The controversy stems from a highly significant verdict delivered by the Supreme Court on May 19. In that first-of-its-kind ruling, the court addressed the growing public safety concerns regarding stray canine populations.
Rather than granting a “free hand” for indiscriminate killings, the apex court explicitly permitted the euthanasia of only specific categories of stray dogs: those that are rabid, incurably ill, dangerous, and aggressive.
In its ruling, the court declared that the constitutional right to live with dignity inherently encompasses the right of citizens to move freely without the persistent threat of harm from canines.
Furthermore, the bench established a crucial legal precedent regarding public safety: when the safety and lives of human beings are weighed against the interests and welfare of sentient beings, the constitutional balance must unequivocally tilt in favor of preserving and protecting human life.
Directives to States and High Courts
Alongside the ruling on euthanasia, the Supreme Court issued structural mandates to address the issue systematically. The apex court directed all states and Union territories to upgrade and augment their infrastructure to manage stray dogs and other animals.
Additionally, to ensure strict compliance with its previous directions issued on August 22, 2025, and November 7, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered all high courts across the country to register suo motu cases to monitor local implementation.
