The Supreme Court on Monday gave a clean chit to the Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in all allegations. The court accepted the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and dismissed all public interest litigations filed against Vantara.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stated that no violation of law occurred in the case of the Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation center located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Accepting the clean chit provided by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the court ordered the closure of the case registered against the center. This dispute originated from allegations made regarding the care and management of animals at the center, which included concerns about the death of some animals and lack of proper care. After a thorough investigation, the SIT concluded that the center had followed the rules and no legal violations were committed.
What was the case?
Two public interest litigations were filed against Vantara in the Supreme Court. These petitions alleged irregularities based on complaints from media, social media reports, NGOs, and other wildlife organizations. Serious allegations, including animal trafficking, money laundering, and violation of rules, were included.
Subsequently, the Supreme Court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on August 25. The SIT was led by a former Supreme Court Justice who investigated the matter with complete impartiality and independence.
SIT Investigation and Supreme Court's Order
During its investigation, the SIT collaborated with various government agencies and experts to meticulously study all activities of Vantara. The investigation found that:
- No violation of law – No provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Zoo Recognition Rules, 2009; CZA Guidelines; Customs Act, 1962; Foreign Trade Act, 1992; FEMA, 1999; Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002; Indian Penal Code, and CITES were violated.
- Safety and Breeding Programs – Vantara rescued animals from various situations and housed them in a conservation and breeding center.
- Import with Valid Permits – All animals were brought to the center only after valid permits were issued.
- High Welfare Standards – Based on expert opinions, the SIT found that Vantara's facilities are better than the prescribed standards, and the mortality rate is in line with global averages.
- Allegations are Baseless – Repeated complaints and petitions, which accused Vantara of animal trafficking and money laundering, were found to be entirely baseless.
The Supreme Court, taking the SIT's report on record, stated:
- All petitions against Vantara are dismissed.
- The center has properly implemented all compliance and regulatory measures.
The SIT report was directed to be sealed and kept confidential, but Vantara was ordered to be provided with the full report, on the condition that it would not be shared with any third party. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice P. B. Varale, expressed confidence in the SIT report, stating that Vantara had taken all necessary steps for animal welfare and that no violation of law occurred in the center's activities.
