Vantara gets clean chit from Supreme Court SIT

In a major update, the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its report on the functioning of Vantara, Gujarat’s Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. The SIT found that the centre’s acquisition and care of animals, including elephants, were carried out according to existing laws and regulations.

The inquiry was initiated following petitions by advocates CR Jaya Sukin and Dev Sharma, which raised concerns about animal acquisition procedures and possible misuse of resources. The SIT, led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar, examined these allegations and concluded that all statutory rules had been followed. The team also included former High Court Chief Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and Customs Additional Commissioner Anish Gupta.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and PB Varale reviewed excerpts from the report and noted that the centre had complied with regulations under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and other related rules. The court emphasized that such institutions operate under legal frameworks and that repeated unverified allegations could disrupt their functioning.

The SIT’s examination covered multiple aspects of Vantara’s operations. It looked into:

• Acquisition of animals from India and abroad.

• Veterinary care and standards of animal welfare.

• Compliance with financial and environmental regulations, including water use and carbon credit management.

• Allegations reported in the media, such as the relocation of elephants used in temple rituals.

The report did not find any irregularities in these areas. The SIT stated that all operations were carried out within legal limits and according to the prescribed rules.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, mentioned that while the report may not be made public, a copy would be provided to Vantara to consider any constructive suggestions. The court clarified that the inquiry was purely fact-finding and did not question the authority or legitimacy of the statutory bodies or the centre itself.

The SIT report thus concludes the official inquiry, presenting a factual account of Vantara’s operations. It highlights that compliance with legal requirements was observed, and no statutory violations were found. The court’s response also indicates that any future challenges should be grounded in verified evidence rather than media reports or speculation.