Delhi High Court seeks government response on action plan for eliminating rabies by 2030

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday instructed the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to file a detailed response on how it intends to implement an action plan aimed at eliminating rabies among stray dogs by 2030. The order was issued by a division bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Rajnish Kumar Gupta, following a suggestion from amicus curiae and animal‑welfare activist Gauri Maulekhi.

The court granted the government a four‑week period to obtain necessary instructions and submit its reply, noting that the counsel for GNCTD had requested the time. In August, the same bench had directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to select one ward each for pilot sterilisation and vaccination camps. On Tuesday, the judges also asked both municipal bodies to file status reports on the progress of those pilots, with the matter slated for further hearing on October 5.

This directive follows a Supreme Court mandate that every district in India establish at least one fully functional animal birth‑control centre and expand related infrastructure based on local demographics. The High Court’s order underscores the growing emphasis on public‑health safety and animal‑welfare concerns, placing responsibility on Delhi’s municipal authorities to curb stray‑dog populations and prevent rabies transmission to residents.