The BRICS TimesVantara faces an investigation following petitions with unsupported claims, leading the Supreme Court to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for an independent review.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Supreme Court, carried out its second day of inspection at the Reliance Industries-owned Vantara Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Saturday. The visit is part of the ongoing inquiry into the centre’s operations, according to individuals familiar with the matter.
Although the petitions filed against Vantara were described by the Supreme Court on August 25 as lacking evidence, the court nevertheless directed the formation of an SIT to examine the allegations in detail. The team, led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar, has been instructed to present its findings by September 12.
Comprising four members, the SIT also includes former chief justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana high courts Raghavendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and additional commissioner of customs Anish Gupta. The members commenced their three-day inquiry on September 5, which is scheduled to conclude on September 7, according to an official.
A Gujarat government official confirmed the visit, noting, “The SIT team is presently at Vantara to investigate and prepare the report in a time-bound manner as per the Supreme Court’s instructions. They are here for three days and expected to leave on September 7.”
Responding to the inquiry, a spokesperson for Vantara earlier stated, “We acknowledge the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court with utmost regard. Vantara remains committed to transparency, compassion and full compliance with the law.” The spokesperson further emphasized, “Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals. We will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigation Team and continue our work sincerely, always placing the welfare of animals at the heart of all our efforts. We request that the process be allowed to take place without speculation and in the best interest of the animals we serve.”
Vantara, which spans roughly 3,500 acres close to Reliance Industries Limited’s refinery in Jamnagar, is a philanthropic project of Reliance, overseen by Anant Ambani, director of both RIL and the foundation. The centre is home to more than 150,000 animals representing over 2,000 species, and it is recognized as one of the most expansive animal welfare initiatives globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the facility on March 4, coinciding with World Wildlife Day.
The Supreme Court’s directive was issued by a bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and PB Varale. While emphasizing that the petitions filed by advocate CR Jaya Sukin and Dev Sharma relied only on newspaper reports and lacked substantive evidence, the court explained that the SIT’s task is confined to fact-finding. The areas outlined for investigation include the manner in which Vantara has acquired animals both domestically and internationally—particularly elephants—compliance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and related zoo regulations, adherence to laws governing animal trade and articles, and standards of veterinary care and animal welfare.
Additionally, the SIT is required to review allegations tied to water and carbon credit usage, along with issues connected to financial governance and money laundering. The Supreme Court bench noted, “Considering the sweep of the allegations made in the petitions inviting a counter from the private respondent or any other party will not serve much purpose. Ordinarily, a petition resting on such unsupported allegations does not deserve in law to be entertained rather warrants dismissal in limine. However, in the wake of the allegations that the statutory authorities or the courts are either unwilling or incapable of discharging their mandate…we consider it appropriate in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal which may establish the violation, as alleged, if any.”
The bench further clarified that the order is restricted to establishing factual clarity and should not be read as any adverse opinion against Vantara or statutory authorities. “…this order neither expresses any opinion on the allegations made in the petitions nor this (should) order be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any of the statutory authorities or the private respondent–Vantara,” the court observed.
Vantara has consistently reiterated that it respects the Supreme Court’s directions and is extending full cooperation to the SIT during the inquiry. The case has been listed for hearing on September 15, when the apex court is expected to review the SIT’s report and deliberate on the findings.
