Supreme Court-appointed panel examines allegations of unlawful animal acquisition at Jamnagar centre

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Reliance Foundation’s Vantara wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre has submitted close to 200 questions to the organisation and called for the presence of its international partners as part of its inquiry.

The SIT, led by former Supreme Court judge Jasti Chelameswar, spent three days at the Jamnagar facility, questioning senior members of Vantara’s leadership and reviewing compliance with wildlife protection laws, international trade rules, animal welfare standards and environmental norms. Multiple state forest department officials assisted in the proceedings.

On 25 August, a bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale constituted the four-member SIT after hearing a plea by C. R. Jaya Sukin, who alleged that animals, including elephants, birds and endangered species, were unlawfully acquired and kept at Vantara. The court directed the SIT to file its report by 12 September.

The plea claimed that wildlife was being smuggled under the guise of rescue and rehabilitation. The SIT has been tasked with fact-finding and recommending further legal or regulatory action.

In a statement, Vantara said it “acknowledges the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court with utmost regard” and will extend full cooperation. “Our mission and focus continue to be the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals. We will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigation Team and continue our work sincerely, always placing the welfare of animals at the heart of all our efforts,” the organisation said.

The SIT’s findings are expected to influence the court’s stance on the legality of the facility’s operations. The case has drawn national and international attention given Vantara’s global partnerships and scale. The Supreme Court will review the panel’s report later this month.