"Shouldn't Raise Hue And Cry": Clean Chit To Vantara Over Elephant Transfers
The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to conduct an independent inquiry into complaints against Reliance-owned Vantara, an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre, has found no lapses in the import of animals.
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A Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) confirmed today that there are no irregularities in the transfer of elephants to Vantara, the animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Gujarat's Jamnagar owned by Reliance.
"The court believes that the receipt of animals by Vantara through rescue operations and their housing for conservation and breeding programs have undergone complex multi-layered multi-jurisdictional statutory approvals, procedures and documentation," the top court stated.
It emphasized that animals were transferred to the facility "only after issuance of valid permits."
The Supreme Court had established a four-member SIT led by a former top court judge on August 25 to investigate petitions against Vantara alleging irregularities based on media reports, social media posts, and complaints from NGOs and wildlife organizations.
Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale remarked: "There are certain things in India that we take pride in and we should not unnecessarily raise hue and cry for everything."
The judges highlighted that multiple inquiries into Vantara following numerous complaints and petitions consistently found "no violation of law" whatsoever.
"Thus, there is apparently no merit in any of the allegations of animal smuggling or laundering," declared the top court.
The court emphasized that import clearance in India involves various checks and compliance measures regulated by multiple statutory authorities, as documented by the SIT. It stated that "no one can go beyond these permits or dispute the validity attached to such permits or official acts."
The court mentioned it would direct government authorities to consider suggestions for improving Vantara's operations.
Team Vantara welcomed the SIT's findings, calling the "validation of the truth" not just "a relief for everyone at Vantara but also a blessing, as it allows our work to speak for itself."
"With utmost humility and gratitude, we welcome the findings of the Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme Court of India. The SIT's report and the Supreme Court's order have clearly established that the doubts and allegations raised against Vantara's animal welfare mission were baseless," Team Vantara said in a statement.
"The validation of the truth by the distinguished and respected SIT members is not just a relief for everyone at Vantara but also a blessing, as it allows our work to speak for itself. The SIT's findings and the Apex Court's order strengthen and encourage us to continue serving with humility and devotion to those who cannot speak for themselves," they added.
Regarding welfare standards for animal conservation and preservation at Vantara, the SIT reported that after consulting experts, "Vantara facilities exceed prescribed benchmark" and mortality figures align with global zoological averages.
Courtesy Vantara
Courtesy Vantara
"Upon reviewing the entire record, we are more than satisfied that Vantara's facilities in certain respects exceed the prescribed standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care and welfare as well as the statutory benchmarks established by the Central Zoo Authority," the SIT stated.
Courtesy Vantara
Courtesy Vantara
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Gujarat, and Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Vantara, stated that when Supreme Court-appointed panel members visited Vantara, the entire staff was available to them and everything was shown transparently.
"There are certain propriety concerns regarding animal care methods; experts have invested significant funds to develop these procedures, involving some degree of commercial confidentiality," Mr. Salve explained.
During the hearing, petitioner CR Jaya Sukin objected to Vantara receiving elephants from temples.
However, the court questioned why there should be any issue if animals are acquired and kept safely in appropriate establishments.
Courtesy Vantara
"How can you claim that elephants moved from temples aren't being properly cared for by Vantara? Animals are otherwise often tortured. Temples frequently misuse them... If the transfer of elephants complies with the law, what's the problem? If someone wants to acquire an elephant and follows all legal requirements, how is that problematic? Otherwise, people use animals for commercial purposes, such as during Dussehra. In Mysore they do this every year," Justice Mithal observed.