The Supreme Court will hear the high-profile Delhi stray dog relocation matter before a three-judge bench on Wednesday, August 14. The case, earlier being heard by a two-judge bench, was transferred today and will now be presided over by Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria.

The suo motu case arose from a Times of India report titled “In a city hounded by strays, kids pay price”. On August 11, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed the relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to designated shelters. This same bench had first taken cognizance of the matter on July 28.

The shift to a larger bench came after the issue was mentioned twice before Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai earlier today. The CJI stated that he would look into the matter.

The court is expected to revisit the August 11 relocation order during tomorrow’s hearing, which could have significant implications for animal rights, public safety, and municipal policy in the national capital region.