Supreme Court Raps Maneka Gandhi Over Stray Dog Remarks

20th January 2026 at 6:26 PM

1 minute read

New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Tuesday tore into former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi over her criticism of the court’s stray dogs order, saying it amounted to contempt even though it stopped short of initiating the charges. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, further questioned Gandhi about what “budgetary allocation” she had helped in getting for solving the stray dog problem as an union minister.

The BJP leader has previously helmed the ministries of women and child development, social justice and animal welfare. During the hearing, the Supreme Court gave an earful to senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, who appeared for Gandhi. “You said the court should be circumspect in making comments, but have you asked your client what kind of remarks she has made? Have you heard her podcast? She has made all kinds of remarks against everybody. Have you seen her body language?” the court said.

Advocate Ramachandran argued that budgetary allocation was a policy matter. Interestingly, he even went on to point out that he appeared on behalf of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab, the sole gunman captured alive in the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. Kasab was later executed. The remarks by Ramachandran drew a sharp response from the bench. “Ajmal Kasab did not commit contempt of court, but your client has,” Justice Nath said.

While the bench did not mention which remarks by Gandhi were deemed contemptuous, the former Union Minister had last year made pointed remarks on the court’s directives. Last year, a bench headed by Justice Pardiwala directed civic authorities in Delhi to round up all stray dogs within eight weeks and keep them in dedicated shelters, triggering widespread outrage.