Ex-minister alleges ‘dog lovers’ blocking stray relocation, plans contempt plea

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Goel on Tuesday accused so-called “self-styled” dog lovers of obstructing the implementation of a Supreme Court order directing the relocation of stray dogs to designated shelter homes. Goel, who has led the “No Dogs on Streets” campaign for two years, announced plans to file a contempt petition in the Apex Court, claiming such resistance violates judicial orders and compromises public safety.

The allegations follow a reported incident in Rohini, North Delhi, where a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) veterinary team was allegedly attacked by a group of dog lovers while responding to complaints about stray dogs near Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Sectors 16 and three. An FIR has been lodged at K N Katju Marg Police Station.

According to the complaint, the MCD team, comprising driver Om Prakash and staff members Ratan, Deepak, Pushpendra and Anil, was in the process of capturing stray dogs when they were confronted by a group that allegedly assaulted the officials and forced the release of the animals. One dog was released on the school premises, and the other was returned to its original location.

Veterinary Officer Ravish Kasana, in his complaint, wrote as the dog-catching van exited the school, the same group allegedly surrounded the vehicle, vandalised it by breaking its windows and assaulted the staff. They also reportedly stole vehicle tools, the ignition key and the log book before fleeing. “This incident disrupted official duty, endangered public safety and caused damage and loss to the Department,” he stated, requesting the recovery of stolen items and CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the offenders.

Vijay Goel visited the Rohini police station and submitted a complaint demanding strict action under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to obstructing public servants, endangering life, public nuisance and mischief. “I have provided video evidence from the Rohini incident where the faces of the dog lovers are visible. The police now have no excuse and must make arrests immediately,” he said.

The BJP leader maintained that the Supreme Court’s directive, which mandates relocating stray dogs to shelters where they would receive food and medical care, is in the broader public interest. “By obstructing this process, these groups are not only defying court orders but also threatening citizen safety,” he said, adding that his forthcoming contempt petition aims to hold violators legally accountable.

Delhi