10 things SC said about Vantara as it dismissed PIL against elephant acquisition

The Supreme Court on Monday said that a special investigation team (SIT) that it had formed to look into allegations on ‘Vantara’ has given it a clean chit.

Vantara is an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre that the Reliance Foundation runs in Gujarat’s Jamnagar.

The SC bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and PB Varale orally observed that the SIT headed by Justice (Retired) Jasti Chelameswar found that the acquisition of animals in Vantara, particularly elephants, was prima facie in compliance of all laws and that the investigation did not find any foul play, according to Live Law.

The SC had formed the SIT last month to look into allegations of irregularities in Vantara’s procurement of animals in two petitions. Here are 10 things that the SC said about Vantara today.

SIT found no legal violations

The SIT found that the procurement of animals, including elephants, by Vantara was in line with laws and there was no violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009, CZA guidelines, Customs Act, 1962, Foreign Trade (Regulation and development) Act, 1992, Foreign Exchange Management
Act, 1999, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora.

Court accepts SIT’s findings

The SC noted that the SIT had undertaken a “thorough and extensive investigation” into the complaints and said it had “no hesitation in accepting the conclusion so drawn in the report”, according to The Hindu.

Imports and acquisitions fully documented

The SIT’s report found that animals were imported only after the issuance of valid permits.

“The imports of the animals have been made only after issuance of valid permits. Once the imports of animals is fully documented and supported by valid permits, it is not open for anyone to go beyond the said permits and to dispute the validity attached to such permits or official acts,” the SC said, as per The Hindu.

Repeated complaints had already been rejected

This is the latest instance of no wrongdoing being found regarding Vantara.

Welfare standards exceed benchmarks

The SC noted that the SIT was “satisfied” that Vantara’s practices in certain respects “exceed” the prescribed standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, and welfare, as well as “internationally recognised benchmarks”, as per The Hindu.

Independent global certification

The SC noted that independent bodies such as Global Human Society after site inspection and audit through a team has certified that Vantara has not only complied with but exceeded internationally recognised benchmarks.

“It has been awarded ‘Global Humane Certified Seal of Approval’ which is of significance as it provides independent validation of standards of welfare and conservation of animals,” the verdict said.

Periodic inspections validate compliance

The periodic inspection by the Central Zoo Authority and the Chief Wildlife Warden of Gujarat, along with assessments by CITES reinforced the above conclusion. The allegations of deficiency in welfare standard are therefore unfounded.

Financial impropriety allegations dismissed

The SIT found allegations of financial impropriety in Vantara’s operations baseless.

The Deputy Director of Enforcement Directorate, from whom the SIT sought expert assistance, clarified that there was no breach of provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002.

Court has barred repetitive petitions

The SC said that no petitions with same set of allegations shall be considered in the future.

SIT’s recommendations to be implemented

Wherever the SIT has made recommendations, the SC said that Vantara was to implement them.

Vantara free to pursue remedies against misinformation

The SC said that Vantara was free to pursue remedies against misinformation about its operations.