Vantara assures full cooperation with SIT after Supreme Court orders probe into its animal rescue operations
Vantara praises the Supreme Court's decision to establish a SIT and promises to follow the law and work with investigators. The facility states that animal welfare will always be its top priority.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) August 26: Vantara is a wildlife initiative of the Reliance Foundation. It states that it is still dedicated to transparency and will provide the Special Investigation Team (SIT) with its full cooperation. This happens a day after the Supreme Court orders a fact-finding investigation into its operations.
Vantara assures full cooperation
The rescue and rehabilitation facility in Jamnagar says in a statement that it takes the Supreme Court's ruling with "utmost regard". It restates its commitment to compassion and legal compliance. The facility says, “We will extend complete cooperation to the Special Investigation Team, always placing the welfare of animals at the heart of all our efforts”. It further states that only the animals' best interests should be taken into consideration. The procedure should be allowed to proceed "without speculation."
Supreme Court Orders SIT Probe
The reply comes from the Supreme Court's appointment of a four-member SIT to investigate accusations against the center. It is led by former judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar. The team also consists of senior Customs official Anish Gupta, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and Justice Raghavendra Chauhan. These include allegations of illegal animal purchases, especially of elephants; compliance to international standards and the Wildlife (Protection) Act; veterinary care and welfare requirements. It also includes worries about financial transparency and environmental compatibility.
The SIT has permission to get information from a wide variety of sources. They include journalists, petitioners, authorities, regulators and intervenors. The team may broaden its investigation to any topic it considers essential to provide the Court with a comprehensive factual report. The State of Gujarat, including its Police and Forest Departments, the Central Zoo Authority, the CITES Management Authority, and the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change will all fully cooperate with the team.
Investigation to Cover Key Issues
It is anticipated that the SIT will conduct on-site inspections in Jamnagar. The matter is scheduled for hearing on September 15. It has been requested to provide its report by September 12. The court has made it clear that the purpose of the exercise is to gather facts. It should not be interpreted as raising questions about Vantara or any authority at this time.
The SIT will also look into concerns about financial compliance, money laundering, and the misuse of carbon credits and water.
Vantara is one of the biggest privately funded animal care facilities in the world. It spans thousands of acres within Reliance's refinery complex. Its initiatives include conservation campaigns, veterinary clinics and the rescue of caged elephants.
Allegations Under Review
The supreme court permitted the petitioners to include Vantara as a party before it on August 14. This marks the first hearing of the petitions. But before the current order was passed, no notice was made to the Center, the state or any other entity, including Vantara.
The courts says, “Considering the sweep of the allegations made in the petitions inviting a counter from the private respondent or any other party will not serve much purpose. Ordinarily, a petition resting on such unsupported allegations does not deserve in law to be entertained rather warrants dismissal in limine,” in a statement.
