In cities across the country, the feral animals are both loved and feared. The judges are forging into intensely emotional territory by going after the ones in the capital.

India’s top court has ordered authorities in New Delhi to start removing all stray dogs from its streets and to sterilize and relocate them to shelters permanently.

While Justice JB Pardiwala had passed the order for relocation of all stray dogs to shelters, petitioners have argued there was an earlier apex court order in 2024 where petitions relating to stray dogs were relegated to the high courts.