Supreme Court-appointed SIT provides clear chit to Vantara

The Supreme Court on Monday (September 15, 2025) famous that the inquiry report submitted by the court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), chaired by former choose Justice J. Chelameswar, has given a clear chit to Vantara, a zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre conceptualised by Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The SIT had been tasked with conducting an “impartial factual appraisal” of complaints and allegations of violations raised in opposition to the ability.

A Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale noticed that, as per the report, Vantara had ensured full compliance with the regulation and laws. “We have gone via the abstract of the report. It notes erudite regulatory compliance. It notes that stakeholders additionally offered views. Authorities have expressed satisfaction with the regulatory compliance,” the Bench stated.

When the Bench indicated that it will make the SIT report a part of the order, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, showing for the State of Gujarat, submitted that the Court needn’t annex it. Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Vantara, supported Mr. Mehta, citing considerations that the report might include commercially confidential details about the ability.

The Bench agreed and stated it will take into account making a abstract of the report a part of the report. It added {that a} detailed order could be handed within the matter through the lunch recess.

Besides Justice Chelameswar, the members of the SIT included Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts; Hemant Nagrale, IPS (former Mumbai Police Commissioner); and Anish Gupta, IRS, Additional Commissioner, Customs.

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The SIT was requested to look at the acquisition of animals from India and overseas, significantly elephants; compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and guidelines for zoos; compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and import/export legal guidelines regarding reside animals; adherence to requirements of animal husbandry and veterinary care, animal-welfare norms, and causes of mortalities; and complaints relating to weather conditions and allegations in regards to the location of Vantara close to an industrial zone.