Parmod KumarNew Delhi, Sept. 21 -- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking clarification of its May 19, 2026 directions on stray animals, contending that requiring it to create and operate shelters, specialised transport facilities and related infrastructure across the national highway network would go beyond its statutory role and entail substantial manpower and financial commitments outside its existing mandate and budgetary framework.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the application before a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, seeking its urgent listing. The CJI agreed to place the matter before the special bench that had issued the e...