The Supreme Court has issued a fresh directive to tackle the increasing number of stray dogs within its own premises, just a day after passing a contentious order on the relocation of strays across Delhi-NCR.

In a circular released on Tuesday, the apex court noted a “significant rise” in incidents of stray dogs roaming the corridors and even entering lifts inside the court complex.

The order mandates strict disposal of leftover food only in sealed, covered bins, explicitly prohibiting dumping in open areas or uncovered containers. The circular stressed that this step is vital to prevent animals from scavenging, reduce the risk of dog bites, and maintain overall hygiene. Staff members were urged to fully comply with the measure for the safety of all on the premises.

To address the issue, Supreme Court officials recently met with representatives from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to coordinate action.

This move comes on the heels of Monday’s sweeping Supreme Court order instructing civic bodies in Delhi-NCR to capture, sterilise, and permanently shift all stray dogs to shelters, citing the situation as “serious” and leaving “no room for compromise.”

The order has triggered widespread outrage from animal welfare groups. Earlier on Tuesday, police stopped animal rights activists from staging a protest at India Gate and later filed an FIR against them, citing security reasons.