'Doubts and allegations cleared': Vantara hails Supreme Court ruling on elephant acquisition

Vantara, the animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, has welcomed the findings of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), which found no legal violations at the facility.

In a statement, Vantara described the SIT’s conclusions as “a validation of their truth, a relief and a blessing.”

“With utmost humility and gratitude, we welcome the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The SIT’s report and the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order have made it clear that the doubts and allegations raised against Vantara’s animal welfare mission were without any basis. The validation of the truth by the distinguished and widely respected members of the SIT is not just a relief for everyone at Vantara but also a blessing, because it allows our work to speak for itself,” the statement read.

Based on the findings of its Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to probe allegations against the Jamnagar facility, the Supreme Court held that Anant Ambani’s Vantara had not flouted any law. The SC perused and accepted the SIT report on Monday.

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In its findings, the SIT said that Vantara had not violated any provisions 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 on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

After coordinating with multiple agencies, the SIT noted that Vantara’s facilities exceeded prescribed benchmarks and confirmed there were no irregularities in animal acquisition, including in the case of elephants Mahadevi and Madhuri. Their transfer from Kolhapur, the SIT clarified, was directed by a court order and not initiated by Vantara.

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Following the clean chit, Vantara expressed renewed resolve in its mission.

“The SIT’s findings and the Apex Court’s order give us further strength and encouragement to continue serving with humility and devotion to those who cannot speak for themselves. The entire Vantara family expresses heartfelt gratitude for this affirmation and reassures everyone of our lifelong commitment to protecting and caring for animals and birds with compassion," the statement said.

“Vantara has always been about love, compassion, and responsibility towards the voiceless among us. Every animal we rescue, every bird we heal, every life we save is a reminder that their well-being is not separate from our own — it is an inseparable part of the well-being of all humanity. When we care for animals, we are also caring for the soul of humanity,” it added.

“We take this occasion to pledge our solidarity with the Government of India, State Governments, and all other stakeholders involved in the huge and challenging task of animal care, and affirm that that Vantara will always be ready to work in close collaboration with them. Let’s together make Mother Earth a better place for all living beings," it said.

With inputs from agencies