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Stray Dogs Vanish from : Delhi Court Slams Police, Orders Top-Level Probe
In a strongly worded order, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Pranav Joshi at , , has criticized for their "" in investigating the mysterious removal of stray dogs from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport premises. The court, hearing complainant Rashim Sharma's case against , directed the , to conduct a into incidents at both Terminal-1 and Terminal-3. This comes after over one-and-a-half months with no trace of the dogs.
From Familiar Feeders to Phantom Paws: The Airport Mystery Unfolds
The saga began with incidents on , at Terminal-1, and around (inferred from context) at Terminal-3, where stray dogs—regularly fed by complainants including Sharma—were allegedly lured and relocated by staff from . CCTV footage revealed a person in Estate Services attire enticing a dog into a vehicle at 19:38 hours on Terminal-3, driving it off premises. A similar forceful capture at Terminal-1 went viral on social media.
Complainants, self-proclaimed regular feeders, approached the SHO and DCP, , before filing court complaints. They provided vaccination, sterilization, and feeding records—data the court noted could be gathered in a week, unlike the police's 15 visits yielding nothing substantial. The key legal questions: Were the dogs relocated humanely? Who authorized it? Are they alive, and where? Why the police delay despite court directives for CCTV preservation and comprehensive probe?
Complainants Cry Foul, Police Reports Deflect
Complainants accused airport operators and contractors of unauthorized, inhumane removal without verifying dog welfare. They highlighted police questioning their own "" and feeding claims, while handing questionnaires to respondents instead of grilling them on relocation details. Instead of summoning JK Contractors or DIAL () staff, officers sought complainant contacts for respondents.
Police status reports from SI Amit and ACP/DCP mirrored each other: CCTV checked, JK staff implicated, but no instructions from DIAL admitted. Destination unknown; sterilization/vaccination records pending; no dog-bite complaints verified. Notably, Terminal-1 was dismissed as "outside jurisdiction," despite court insistence on linkage. No names of examined DIAL staff; mere "efforts" to contact JK. Complainants' submissions stood uncontradicted.
Court's Scalpel Cuts Through Police Excuses
Judge Joshi took "exception" to the police's fragmented approach, noting both incidents likely formed "" given JK Contractors' involvement and the improbability of grounds staff acting sans airport authority nod. Prior order () mandated DCP to probe holistically, including Terminal-1 CCTV—ignored.
The court dissected the inquiry: Officers fixated on complainant verification over respondent accountability, reflecting
"
towards the noble cause."
With dogs missing for 1.5 months, no effort traced their fate. No precedents cited directly, but the ruling invokes
to ensure effective investigation, distinguishing
from holistic justice.
Integrating reports from legal monitors, the court echoed concerns:
"No serious effort made by police to trace 2 stray dogs,"
underscoring the delay's gravity.
Key Observations
"This court to the approach made by the police officials in this matter."
"It has been more than one and half month since the dogs were relocated from their usually feeding area and the police has shown no interest to gather information whether the dogs are alive and their place of relocation."
"This approach of the police reflects their towards the noble cause for which the complaint has been made."
"Both the incidents suggest that it could not be possible for the grounds staff to relocate the dogs without any directions from the authorities involved in operating the airport."
"Considering gravity of the situation and the fact that dogs are missing for about one and half months, this court thinks fit to direct Worthy Joint CP, Transport Range to conduct inquiry into both the incidents... in a holistic manner."
Justice Unleashed: Probe Escalates, Implications for Animal Guardians
The final order: Joint CP, Transport Range, to investigate both terminals comprehensively; report for next date of hearing (, 2:00 PM). Copy dispatched for "compliance."
This directive overrides DCP lapses, potentially exposing unauthorized actions by GMR/DIAL/JK, ensuring dog welfare checks. For future cases, it signals courts won't tolerate police silos or in animal-related probes—empowering feeders and activists. As one monitor noted, clarity on the dogs' fate remains elusive, but accountability is now in motion.
