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New Delhi, August 26, 2025 — In a significant move, the Supreme Court of India has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a comprehensive, fact-finding inquiry into allegations concerning Vantara, the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre operated by Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Formation & Composition of the SIT
The SIT will be led by Justice Jasti Chelameswar, a retired judge of the Supreme Court. The team also includes:
Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts
Hemant Nagrale, former Mumbai Police Commissioner
Anish Gupta, Additional Commissioner of Customs (IRS)
Scope of Investigation
The Court has tasked the SIT to investigate a wide array of issues, including but not limited to:
Acquisition of animals—domestic and international—particularly elephants
Compliance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and zoo-related regulations
Adherence to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and import/export laws
Standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, welfare, and mortality analysis.
Environmental concerns, such as suitability of location (proximity to industrial zones), and climate considerations
Allegations of vanity or private collections, misuse of conservation and breeding programs, and biodiversity resource exploitation
Misuse of water resources and carbon credits
Wildlife trade violations, potential smuggling
Financial irregularities, including money laundering
Physical inspection and verification of facilities, supported by Gujarat’s Forest Department.
Process and Timeline
The SIT is to begin its inquiry immediately (“forthwith”) and submit its report by September 12, 2025.
The Supreme Court will list the two PILs in question for further hearing on September 15, 2025, to consider the SIT’s findings.
Why the SIT?
The inquiry follows two public interest litigations filed by CR Jaya Sukin and Dev Sharma, prompted by controversies surrounding the relocation of an elephant named Mahadevi from a temple in Kolhapur to Vantara in July.
Though the Court noted that such petitions—largely based on media reports and NGO complaints—would ordinarily be dismissed, it deemed a detailed independent inquiry necessary in this case. The Court is keen to determine the factual position objectively and not prejudge any party.
Vantara’s Response
In an official statement, Vantara has expressed its full cooperation and respect for the Supreme Court’s order. It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, legal compliance, and prioritising animal welfare. The organisation also requested that the process proceed without undue speculation, emphasizing that its operations remain focused on rescue, rehabilitation, and care.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like
The Indian Express,
The News Minute,
mint, etc.) transparently.]
