MSHRC Takes Action Against Nagpur Division for Stray Dog Issues

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has formally recognized a complaint against the Central Railway's Nagpur Division for not adhering to Supreme Court directives regarding the management of stray dogs at railway stations. The complaint was filed by Ashok Katre, a retired Movement Inspector, who highlighted the failure to appoint nodal officers as mandated by the Railway Board and the Supreme Court.

Katre's complaint pointed out inconsistencies in responses from railway officials. He noted that while the Mumbai Division has appointed nodal officers at 128 stations to manage stray dog issues, the Nagpur Division has not followed suit. The MSHRC has assigned case number 6323/13/17/2026 to this matter and plans to proceed with hearings at a later date.

The complaint underscores a significant disparity in compliance between the two divisions. Katre emphasized that the Nagpur Division's inaction could be seen as contempt of court, especially since the Supreme Court issued directives on May 19, 2026, aimed at addressing the stray dog problem. The Nagpur Division's response was submitted on July 31, 2026, but Katre argues that the necessary actions have not been taken on the ground.

Katre has also filed a contempt plea with the Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench and the Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court due to the negligence of Nagpur Division officials. He alleged that, sensing potential repercussions, officials hastily distributed rabies vaccinations, which should have been done in accordance with the Supreme Court's orders.

Photographic evidence submitted by Katre reveals the presence of stray dogs at Betul, Amla, and Maramzari Railway stations, posing a safety threat to passengers. Previous complaints from NGOs regarding stray dogs at Nagpur Railway Station have gone largely unaddressed, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by railway authorities in managing the situation effectively.