‘Even Dogs Are Giving Blessings’: Justice Vikram Nath On Stray Dog Case Fame

Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath, known for his lighthearted remarks, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, saying the stray dog case has brought him fame across civil society worldwide. Speaking at the Regional Conference on Human-Wildlife Conflict in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Justice Nath shared that he has been receiving messages suggesting that not just dog lovers, but even dogs, are "giving him blessings."

Elated by International Recognition

Recalling a recent experience at an event, Justice Nath said he felt "elated" when people outside India asked him about the stray dog case. "For so long, I have been known mainly in the legal fraternity for the modest work I do, but I am thankful to the stray dogs for making me known to the entire civil society, not only in this country but across the world," he told LiveLaw.

He added, "I am thankful to my CJI for allotting me that matter. Recently, at the Law Asia POLA Summit, the presidents of lawyers associations started asking questions about the stray dogs matter. I felt very elated to see that people outside India also know me, and I am grateful for this recognition."

Messages from Humans and Dogs

Justice Nath humorously noted that he has been receiving messages expressing goodwill, stating, "Apart from human blessings and good wishes, I am also receiving them from dogs."

Background of the Case

Justice Vikram Nath was part of the three-judge bench that took over the stray dog case a day after an earlier Supreme Court bench ordered the relocation of all stray dogs in the Delhi NCR region to shelters within eight weeks, prohibiting their release back into the streets. The August 11 order had faced widespread backlash and was modified on August 22. Nath's bench directed that the stray dogs be returned to their original locations after vaccination and sterilisation.