"Conspiracy": Delhi Files Complaint Over Viral 'Teachers Counting Dogs' Claim

The Delhi Government's Directorate of Education (DoE) has filed a formal police complaint concerning the spread of misinformation alleging that government school teachers were instructed to count stray dogs. The complaint was lodged at the Civil Lines Police Station in Delhi, seeking a thorough investigation into the origin, creation, and amplification of the false narrative.

The controversy began with claims circulating on social media and digital platforms, asserting that teachers were directed to enumerate stray dogs. The Director of Education firmly refuted these claims, stating that no such order, instruction, or policy had ever been issued by the department. Officials emphasized that the claims are entirely fabricated and have no connection to any directive from the DoE.

According to the DoE, the misinformation stemmed from a misrepresentation of a circular issued on November 20, 2025. This circular, the department clarified, was strictly in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court in Suo Motu Writ Petition 5 of 2025, titled 'City hounded by strays, kids pay price'. The circular's purpose was to bolster student safety by preventing stray dogs from entering school premises through enhanced security and access control. The Director stressed that the circular makes no mention of teachers counting stray dogs and that the professional role of teachers remains respected.

The DoE also detected videos and reels on social media where individuals were falsely portraying themselves as teachers counting stray dogs. The department views these impersonation attempts as serious offenses. The police complaint includes a list of social media handles involved in spreading the misinformation. The complaint highlights that these acts attract provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, including offenses related to criminal defamation, public mischief, forgery, impersonation, and the publication or transmission of misleading electronic content.

Veditha Reddy, Director of the Directorate of Education, addressed the media, denouncing the claims as "false, fabricated, and baseless". She stated that the false narrative is mischievous and harms the morale and dignity of teachers. Reddy also noted that the "misinformation" has created confusion and misled parents and teachers.

The department is taking the matter seriously and pursuing legal action in accordance with the law. They have documented and preserved digital evidence, posts, and timelines related to the spread of misinformation. The police have been requested to investigate the roles of individuals who amplified the conspiracy through social media platforms. The DoE has appealed for responsible sharing of information to prevent further spread of false narratives.