Hospital Negligence Raised
Advocate Jasdeep Dhillon, representing the parents, argued that multiple hospitals, including Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia, Lady Hardinge, and Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, failed to provide timely and adequate treatment. Despite receiving three doses of the rabies vaccine, the child’s condition worsened, and no hospital admitted her for further care.
Dhillon highlighted that the dog responsible had previously bitten at least four other residents in the area, yet authorities had taken no preventive action.
Contested Cause of Death
Some counsels representing dog advocacy groups questioned the cause of death, pointing out that rabies could only be confirmed through brain tissue analysis. However, the bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice NV Anjaria strongly prohibited any arguments attempting to downplay the child’s death.
“You’re trying to suggest her death was due to natural causes?” Justice Mehta asked sternly, stopping all counsels from commenting further on the matter.
Legal and Public Safety Concerns
Another counsel highlighted the lack of accountability for repeated attacks by stray dogs, suggesting that violent animals pose a serious public threat. The debate underscored the need for clearer policies regarding stray animals and the safety of children in urban areas.
The suo motu case, formally titled In Re: ‘City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price’, SMW(C) No. 5/2025, continues to draw public attention to gaps in municipal safety and healthcare response systems.
