SC Spl Bench on NHAI Plea Against Cattle Shelters
Mehta said a special bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath had directed the NHAI to establish shelter homes for stray cattle across the country.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to constitute a special bench to hear a plea by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) challenging a direction requiring it to construct shelters for stray cattle across the country, a measure the authority said could cost about ₹7,000 crore.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the NHAI, mentioned the matter before a three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, contending that the responsibility for constructing such shelters should rest with local authorities.
Mehta said a special bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath had directed the NHAI to establish shelter homes for stray cattle across the country.
“Our case is that it should be done by the local district-level administration. We cannot do it pan-India,” Mehta told the court.
He said compliance with the direction would entail an expenditure of approximately ₹7,000 crore for the NHAI.
The Solicitor General also sought the reconstitution of the special bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice N.V. Anjaria to hear the NHAI's application.
“There is a matter concerning stray dogs. I am moving an application on behalf of NHAI,” Mehta said, pointing out that the special bench could not be constituted unless specifically directed by the Chief Justice of India.
“We will constitute,” the CJI said.
The development came during the hearing of matters concerning stray dogs and cattle, including measures for their management and the responsibilities of various government authorities.