Supreme Court finds no violations in Vantara’s animal acquisition practices as per investigation findings.
The Supreme Court has determined that the acquisition of animals by Vantara, a wildlife rescue centre managed by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat, appears to be in compliance with relevant regulations. This conclusion was reached following an investigation conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was established by the court to assess whether Vantara adhered to the provisions of the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act and other applicable zoo regulations.
The SIT was tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the transfer of an ailing elephant from a temple in Kolhapur to Vantara, a controversial move that had prompted two petitions. The bench, comprised of Justices Pankaj Mithal and PB Varale, stated that the SIT found no evidence of wrongdoing in its report submitted last week, which was requested to be completed by September 12.
During a court hearing, the bench referenced the report’s findings, highlighting the thorough regulatory compliance observed at Vantara. The justices noted that the report included contributions from various stakeholders and that authorities had expressed satisfaction with Vantara’s adherence to necessary regulations. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and advocate Harish Salve, representing Vantara, raised concerns about the potential for misinformation, arguing that publishing the report could exacerbate speculation regarding the facility’s operations.
Salve emphasized that Vantara had cooperated fully with the SIT, allowing extensive access to its operations and records. He pointed out that significant resources had been invested in the care of the animals, which included considerations of commercial confidentiality. The bench, however, decided against including the report in the official order, reaffirming its confidence in the SIT’s findings and indicating that all relevant authorities could take appropriate actions based on the recommendations provided.
In the context of the elephant’s transfer, the court clarified it would refrain from delving into the details, urging that the absence of foul play established by the independent investigation should quell any ongoing allegations. Justice Mithal remarked on the importance of allowing positive developments, stating that if the acquisition of an elephant is conducted legally, it should not be a cause for concern.
The petitions filed against Vantara called for the establishment of a monitoring committee to investigate alleged irregularities, the return of all captive elephants to their owners, and the release of wild animals back into their natural habitats. The second petition specifically challenged the transfer of the elephant known as Madhuri, who had resided for over three decades at a Jain monastery in Kolhapur. Following the Bombay High Court’s order for Madhuri’s rehabilitation at Vantara, the Supreme Court upheld this decision amidst protests in Kolhapur.
On August 5, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra announced intentions to file a review petition regarding Madhuri’s transfer, indicating that Vantara would support this action. The Supreme Court’s directive to the SIT included verifying compliance with international trade laws concerning endangered species and ensuring full cooperation from relevant authorities during the inspection of Vantara.
Vantara has expressed its commitment to transparency and full compliance with the law in response to the scrutiny surrounding its operations.
