The Supreme Court has accepted the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which gave a clean chit to the Vantara facility in Jamnagar, dismissing allegations of animal smuggling, money laundering, and misuse of resources.
Key SIT Findings
- No illegality found: Allegations of animal smuggling and laundering were declared baseless.
- Animal welfare standards: The centre’s facilities were found to exceed prescribed benchmarks, with mortality figures consistent with global zoological averages.
- No financial impropriety: Allegations of misuse of carbon credits, water resources, or financial irregularities were rejected, with inputs from agencies such as CBI, DRI, and ED.
- Elephant transfers: The SIT approved decisions taken by the High Powered Committee led by former SC judge Justice Deepak Verma regarding elephant transfers.
The Court observed that the matter should now rest:
“No further complaint or proceedings based upon the same allegations shall be entertained…to secure finality and avoid repetitive inquiries.”
It also left Vantara free to seek legal remedies against defamatory or misleading publications.
Court’s Remarks
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and PB Varale told petitioners:
“Why make a hue and cry about everything? Allow certain good things to happen in the country also.”
Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Vantara, urged the Court to keep the SIT report confidential, highlighting that international media may attempt to sensationalize the matter.
Background
The SIT, chaired by former SC judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar, with former CJ Raghavendra Chauhan, ex-Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and Customs official Anish Gupta, had spent three days inspecting Vantara. Its mandate included examining compliance with wildlife and zoo laws, CITES norms, elephant transfers, conservation standards, and allegations of financial misconduct. After involving 16 agencies and reviewing extensive material, the SIT concluded that Vantara had not violated any laws, including the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Earlier, petitions before the Court had raised concerns over elephant transfers, particularly the case of a female elephant named Mahadevi. However, the Court had dismissed vague claims unsupported by evidence
