India, Jan. 20 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down sharply on animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi over her remarks and conduct related to the ongoing stray dogs case, flagging what it described as her "body language" and public comments made during a podcast.

A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice N.V. Anjaria said it was only due to the court's "magnanimity" that it had chosen not to initiate contempt proceedings against her.

The bench made it clear that its earlier observations on holding dog feeders responsible for stray dog attacks were made "very seriously" and not in a sarcastic tone.

The bench also questioned the contradiction between the defence's plea for judi...