Vantara Promises Full Cooperation With SIT Probe

Vantara stated that the organisation will comply with the law.

"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," Vantara officials said in a statement.

The statement said that the organisation will extend full cooperation to the probe and will continue the work of animal welfare.

Vantara stated, "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," the statement read.

On Monday, the apex court formed an SIT headed by Justice Jasti Chelameswar to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the allegations of unlawful acquisition of animals and their mistreatment in Vantara Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale directed the SIT to complete its inquiry and submit a report by September 12. The matter was listed to be heard next on September 15.

The four-member SIT will also examine and report on issues such as compliance with wildlife protection laws, international trade regulations, animal welfare standards and environmental concerns, the apex court added.

The top court passed its order on a plea filed by CR Jaya Sukin, who alleged that animals are being unlawfully acquired and kept in the Vantara wildlife centre. The plea alleged that animals, including elephants, birds and other endangered species, are being smuggled into Vantara in the name of providing a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility.

The three-member SIT will also include Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts, Hemant Nagrale, former Mumbai Police Commissioner, and Anish Gupta, IRS, Additional Commissioner, Customs.

The SIT has been empowered to gather information from petitioners, regulators, officials, intervenors, and journalists. It may expand its scope to any issue deemed necessary to present a complete factual report to the Court.

The Central Zoo Authority, the CITES Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the State of Gujarat — including its Forest and Police Departments — have been directed to extend full cooperation to the SIT.

According to the Court’s order, the SIT will examine a wide range of issues, including:

Acquisition of animals: Investigating how elephants and other species were procured domestically and internationally.

Legal compliance: Assessing adherence to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and zoo-related regulations.

International protocols: Reviewing conformity with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and import/export laws.

Animal welfare: Scrutinising veterinary care, husbandry standards, welfare practices, and causes of mortalities.

Environmental concerns: Probing the suitability of the project’s location, including its proximity to industrial zones.

Collections and conservation: Examining allegations about vanity collections, breeding practices, conservation claims, and biodiversity use.

Resource use: Investigating misuse of water resources and carbon credit mechanisms.

Wildlife trade: Looking into alleged smuggling and breaches of wildlife trade laws.

Financial irregularities: Reviewing charges of money laundering and other financial improprieties.

Other issues: Addressing any additional matters revealed during the probe.