Supreme Court Forms SIT to Probe Vantara Wildlife Centre
The Supreme Court has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations against Vantara, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre run by Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar. The court said while many charges of mistreatment and irregular animal acquisition were not backed by proof, an inquiry was necessary to address questions of oversight. The SIT will submit its findings by September 12.
Scope of Investigation
The four-member SIT is headed by retired Supreme Court judge Jasti Chelameswar and includes former High Court Chief Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, ex–Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and IRS officer Anish Gupta. The panel will examine:
- Acquisition of elephants and other animals domestically and internationally
- Compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and zoo norms
- Adherence to CITES rules and import–export laws
- Veterinary practices, animal husbandry standards, and welfare protocols
- Alleged financial irregularities, including carbon credit and water credit misuse
Legal Justification and Transparency
The bench observed that although petitions were based on media reports and lacked conclusive evidence, statutory bodies had failed to adequately address concerns. Therefore, an independent SIT was required to ensure transparency and accountability. The investigation, the court noted, should not be seen as a presumption of guilt.
Vantara’s Response
Vantara welcomed the Supreme Court’s order and pledged full cooperation with the SIT. It reiterated its commitment to transparency, compliance with legal frameworks, and its mission of animal rescue and care. The centre appealed for the public to avoid speculation until the investigation report is released.
