Delhi High Court Orders Ex-Gratia for Infant's Tragic Death

The Delhi High Court has instructed the city government to pay Rs 2.5 lakh ex-gratia to the parents of a 5-month-old infant who was mauled by a dog. The court observed the seriousness of the stray dog menace in Delhi, highlighting the need for balanced human-dog coexistence and appropriate legal actions.

The Delhi High Court has mandated the city government to provide Rs 2.5 lakh ex-gratia to the parents of a five-month-old infant who tragically died after being mauled by a dog, addressing the persistent issue of stray dogs in the capital.

The court observed that the evidence did not clarify whether the dog was stray or abandoned, affecting its ability to levy negligence on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav emphasized that while the relationship between humans and dogs can be compassionate, authorities must manage the issue empathetically to maintain balance. The case has drawn attention to the broader challenge of stray dog management across high courts and the Supreme Court.

(With inputs from agencies.)