August 26, Tuesday: The Supreme Court has appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by retired judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar to probe complaints about the operations of Vantara, the wildlife rehabilitation and rescue center operated by Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The SIT has been directed to file its report by September 12, 2025, The Indian Express reported.
The two-judge bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and P. B. Varale passed the order during the hearing of two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) challenging the way animals, especially elephants, are being relocated to Vantara. One of the petitions was initiated after an elephant from a temple in Kolhapur was relocated to the facility in July.
Supreme Court orders SIT probe into Vantara’s animal welfare and operational practices
The investigation will look into several facets of Vantara's operations. As per Scroll. In the SIT, the committee will inquire about how animals are procured both within the country and from outside, and if such transfers are in accordance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Central Zoo Authority rules, the CITES treaty, and the import-export law.
Additionally, the team has also been mandated to assess standards of animal husbandry, veterinary treatment, causes of mortality, and welfare practices. It will also investigate claims of vanity collections, inhumane breeding programs, smuggling, abuse of environmental credits, financial irregularities, and potential money laundering, The News Minute added.
According to India TV News, the Supreme Court ordered the SIT to conduct a physical verification and inspection of Vantara with the assistance of the Gujarat Forest Department, the Central Zoo Authority, the CITES Management Authority, and the Union Environment Ministry.
While directing the probe, the bench made it clear that the exercise is a fact-finding mission. The court underlined that it hasn't formed any conclusion about the truth of the allegations nor has it cast aspersion on Vantara or any statutory authority concerned, The Financial Express reported.
