Supreme Court Orders SIT Probe Into Vantara’s Animal Acquisitions and Operations
In a significant move, the Supreme Court has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the activities of Vantara, the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The court’s order comes amid rising concerns over how animals, particularly elephants, are being acquired and housed at the facility.
The SIT will be led by former Supreme Court judge Justice J. Chelameswar and will include former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and Additional Commissioner of Customs Anish Gupta. The team has been asked to begin its inquiry immediately and submit its findings by September 12.
The court directed the SIT to thoroughly examine how Vantara obtains animals both from within India and abroad, ensuring that all processes align with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as well as existing rules for zoos. The inquiry will also cover compliance with the international treaty CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), alongside Indian import and export regulations for live animals.
One of the major triggers for this investigation was the transfer of an elephant named Mahadevi from a temple in Kolhapur to the Jamnagar facility earlier this year, which sparked widespread debate and petitions calling for transparency.
Beyond the legality of animal transfers, the SIT has been tasked with examining broader issues such as:
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Standards of animal welfare, veterinary care, and mortality causes.
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Whether climatic conditions in Jamnagar are suitable for certain species.
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Allegations about Vantara’s proximity to an industrial zone.
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Questions over whether the facility is functioning as a genuine conservation centre or as a vanity project or private collection.
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Use of biodiversity resources, water consumption, and even claims about carbon credit misuse.
The court has also instructed the SIT to investigate complaints related to possible violations of trade laws, wildlife smuggling, financial irregularities, and allegations of money laundering. Essentially, any issue connected to the concerns raised in the petitions — and those arising from related reports and complaints — will fall under the scope of this probe.
By setting up this SIT, the Supreme Court has made it clear that transparency and accountability are vital when it comes to protecting wildlife. The findings, expected in September, are likely to have a far-reaching impact not just on Vantara but also on how private and public institutions across India handle the delicate matter of wildlife rescue, care, and conservation.
