Supreme Court Clears Vantara of All Charges, Bars Future Complaints After SIT Finds No Law Violations
The Supreme Court rules that Vantara will not be subject to any more complaints. They clear the company of all smuggling and money laundering charges.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) September 16: The Supreme Court rules that no court or administrative body in the country will consider any complaint or proceedings regarding these claims in the future.
SIT Report Gives Vantara a Clean Chit on Smuggling and Money Laundering Allegations
The court clears Reliance Foundation-owned Vantara of all charges. The charges include smuggling, money laundering and breaking statutory laws when sourcing animals.
On September 12, the SIT sent in its findings in a sealed cover. The SIT includes former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, Additional Commissioner, Customs Anish Gupta, and former High Court Chief Justice Raghavendra Chauhan. The court issues the orders and rejects the petitions after the report was presented in court on Monday.
The Supreme Court bench says, “The court has no hesitation in accepting the conclusion so drawn in the report. Thus, as no contravention of law has been reported by the SIT, the complaints particularly those listed in Schedule A in the summary of the report stand closed.”
The bench also adds, “No further complaint or proceedings based upon such same set of allegations shall be entertained before any judicial statutory or administrative forum to secure finality, obviate repetitive inquiries and investigation on issues concluded by SIT.”
The court's decision is based on the findings of a special investigation team (SIT) report. The report is presided over by former Supreme Court judge Jasti Chelameswar and three other members. The SIT gives Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) a clean sheet. The SIT was established by the court on August 25. This is in response to two petitions submitted by attorney CR Jaya Sukin and Dev Sharma. They did an impartial investigation of Vantara's operation.
Investigation Confirms No Breach of Wildlife Customs
The Supreme Court reaches the conclusion that there is no violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) guidelines, the Customs Act, 1962, or the 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 (CITES). The SIT conducted field visits. They also took the help of numerous Central and State agencies, regulatory bodies and enforcement bodies.
Vantara Welcomes Verdict
Vantara states, “The SIT’s report and the 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 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” regarding the decision.
The SIT report concludes that Vantara's animal care "exceeds prescribed benchmark". The death rates are also in line with international zoological averages.
The SC praises the SIT for its "promptness" in submitting the report. The court allows Vantara's right to seek legal remedies against any offending publication.
