Vantara in strict compliance with laws; do not tarnish it: Supreme Court after opening SIT report

The Supreme Court on Monday said that the inquiry report submitted by the court-appointed special investigation team has given a clean chit to Vantara, the animal rescue, care and rehabilitation initiative of the Reliance Foundation in Gujarat's Jamnagar [CR Jaya Sukin v. Union of India]..The Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale noted that as per the report, that there has been complete compliance by Vantara with law and regulations and also said that it will not allow tarnishing news reports about the rescue park."We have gone through the summary of the report. It notes erudite regulatory compliance. It notes that stakeholders also presented views. Authorities have expressed satisfaction in the regulatory compliance etc. We will make the report a part of the order itself," the Court said.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Gujarat, said that Court need not make the SIT report a part of the order."That may not be needed. It can be said that you have gone through it," he said.Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Vantara, also supported the SG, citing commercial confidentiality the SIT report may contain with respect to Vantara."There are certain proprietary information on how animals are kept and cared for. There is some sort of commerical confidentiality to this. We don't want world to know this. Then we see articles in New York Times etc," Salve submitted."Once we close the case, we will not permit any such thing," the Bench responded."Countries where hunting is allowed have now become all sensitive to the way animals are being cared for. This cannot just go on and on," Salve argued.The Bench agreed with him."No no we will not permit this. Now we have report of an independent committee who were assisted by experts also. Now all are free to take steps as per recommendations. Now we won't allow anyone to raise questions again and again. We had given 10 questions which has committee has answered also," the Bench said.The Court also rebuffed the argument of petitioner CR Jaya Sukin that an elephant belonging to a temple was taken away by Vantara. "On what basis you can say these elephants are not taken care of well by Vantara? Acquisition of elephant is as per law, then what is the problem. If all provisions are followed and acquires it, what is the problem? You (petitioner) cannot pass some general statements like this...... There are some things which are pride of our country. We cannot raise these issues and create hue and cry. Let some good things happen in the country also. We should be happy about all these good things," the Bench stated..It then said that it will pass a detailed order in the matter during the recess..We won't allow anyone to raise questions again and again.Supreme Court.Vantara, founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024..The Supreme Court constituted an SIT on August 25 under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar. It was tasked with probing allegations of unlawful procurement of animals, mistreatment in captivity, financial and procedural irregularities, and suspected money laundering in relation to Vantara’s operations.The SIT also consisted of former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale and Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Anish Gupta..There are some things which are pride of our country. We cannot raise these issues and create hue and cry. Let some good things happen.Supreme Court .The SIT was on August 25 directed by the apex court to examine and submit report on the following:(a) Acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants;(b) Compliance with Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and rules for zoos framed under the Act;(c) International Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and compliance with import/export laws and other statutory requirements concerning import/ export of live animals;(d) Compliance with standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, standards of animal welfare, mortalities and causes;(e) Complaints regarding climatic conditions and allegations concerning location near an industrial zone;(f) Complaints regarding creation of a vanity or private collection, breeding, conservation programs and use of biodiversity resources;(g) Complaints regarding misutilisation of water and carbon credits;(h) Complaints regarding allegations of breach of different provisions of law, trade in animals or animal articles, wildlife smuggling etc. as made in the articles/stories/complaints referred to in the petitions as well as generally;(i) Complaints regarding issues of financial compliance, money laundering etc.(j) Complaints regarding any other subject, issue or matter germane to the allegations made in these petitions..Pursuant to the Court order, the SIT spent three days inspecting facilities at Vantara and circulated a detailed questionnaire seeking information on financial transactions, compliance with international and inter-state wildlife transfer norms, and adherence to zoo and housing standards.Sixteen agencies were roped in to assist the inquiry. Officials of the forest and wildlife departments were also summoned to explain transfers of elephants and other animals to Jamnagar..Subsequently, the SIT filed its report which was taken on record by the top court on September 12 before the same was opened in court today..[Read Live Coverage]