The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that there was no illegality in the acquisition of animals by Vantara, a zoological rescue and rehabilitation facility run by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Accepting the report by a special investigation team (SIT) that it had appointed to look into the allegations of misuse of the laws governing acquisition of animals from India and abroad, the apex court said the process adopted by Vantara was within the regulatory framework.

The SIT was headed by former judge of the Supreme Court Justice J Chelameswar, and its members included Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former chief justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana high courts; Hemant Nagrale, former Commissioner of Mumbai Police; and Anish Gupta, additional commissioner, Customs.

The special team was asked to examine the acquisition of animals, particularly elephants, from India and abroad; compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and rules for zoos; compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and import/export laws concerning live animals; adherence to standards of animal husbandry and veterinary care, animal-welfare norms, and causes of mortalities; and complaints regarding climatic conditions and allegations about the location of Vantara near an industrial zone.

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale said it prefers to go through the report of the SIT during the hearing itself. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Vantara, and counsel for the petitioners were present as the judges briefly reviewed the findings.

“Acquisition of animals… carried out in regulatory compliance,” Justice Mithal noted. 

Welcoming the SC verdict, Vantara said that the findings of the SIT "made it clear that the doubts and allegations raised against Vantara's animal welfare mission were without any basis". 

During the hearing, the court said the SIT report would be made part of its order. Both Mehta and Salve objected, warning that public disclosure could trigger speculation. Salve argued that operational details carried a degree of commercial confidentiality, and stressed that the facility had invested heavily in expert care.

 “This is a world-class project. Disclosing everything only fuels a narrative seeking to bring it down,” Salve said.

Rejecting the concerns, the bench said it was satisfied with the findings and would not allow repeated challenges.

 “Once an independent expert body has given its report, we will not permit anyone to raise questions again and again. All authorities are free to act on the recommendations, and you are also bound by them,” Justice Mithal observed. The bench also recorded its appreciation for the SIT’s promptness, and suggested that its members be given an honorarium.