Elephant transfer, public protests, PILs — and now SC forms SIT: What are the allegations against Ambani-run Vantara?

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under retired judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar to probe allegations against the Vantara wildlife facility in Gujarat’s Jamnagar. The charges include illegal wildlife transfers, unlawful elephant captivity, and financial irregularities.

A Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale was hearing two public interest litigations (PILs) which not only targeted Vantara but also levelled accusations against statutory authorities and courts. Ordinarily, such pleas “warrant dismissal in limine”, the Bench noted.

However, observing that allegations suggested statutory authorities and even courts were unwilling or incapable of acting in the absence of verified facts, the apex court said it was appropriate “in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal which may establish the violation, as alleged, if any.”

SIT members and responsibilities

The SIT includes Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and senior IRS officer Anish Gupta, alongside Justice Chelameswar as chair.

The team will examine animal acquisitions from India and abroad, especially elephants, compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), veterinary care standards, allegations of vanity collection, misuse of water or carbon credits, and suspected financial irregularities and money laundering.

The Justice Mithal-led Bench clarified the exercise is “only to assist the Court as a fact-finding inquiry” and “shall not be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any statutory authorities or the private respondent-Vantara.”

It further said, “This order neither expresses any opinion on the allegations made in the petitions nor this order be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any of the statutory authorities or the private respondent Vantara.”

The SIT has been asked to submit its report by September 12, and the PILs will be listed on September 15 to consider the findings.

Protests in Kolhapur

The PILs followed protests in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur, where thousands demanded the return of a 36-year-old elephant named Mahadevi, also called Madhuri, to her home in Nandani village in the Karvir region. The animal was transferred to Vantara in July under a Supreme Court order.

The petitions sought a Supreme Court-monitored committee to investigate alleged illegalities at Vantara, ensure the return of all captive elephants to rightful owners, rescue wild animals and birds, and declare a Tripura High Court committee unconstitutional.

Allegations in petitions

The pleas alleged that elephants were moved to Vantara without legal clearance, in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and in contempt of previous Supreme Court orders. One plea stated, “Central Zoo Authority confirmed Vantara do not have 38H clearance on 21.10.2022, all of the Elephants and Wildlife moved to Vantara, Jamnagar, Gujarat, is in contravention of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Vantara being contempt of the apex court order.”

It was further alleged that elephants were forcibly taken from temples and private owners by an NGO in collusion with state forest departments and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), under the pretext of preventing cruelty.

The PILs also alleged that endangered animals were “smuggled” into Vantara not only from India but also internationally. The petitions said these transfers were done under the guise of rescue and rehabilitation but “may have been traded for commercial purposes rather than genuine conservation efforts.”

Entities named in petitions

According to the pleas, multiple channels fed animals into Vantara, including private bodies such as the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Tamil Nadu, the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots in Germany, and Mexico’s Fauna Zoo. State-run facilities such as Sakkarbaug Zoo, Assam State Zoo, and state forest departments dealing with human-animal conflicts were also mentioned.

Vantara’s official statement

Vantara, supported by Reliance Industries Limited and Reliance Foundation and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issued a statement saying the relocation of Madhuri was carried out under judicial authority.

It said its role was limited to providing care, veterinary support, and housing as an independent rescue and rehabilitation centre. "At no stage did Vantara initiate or recommend the relocation, nor was there any intent to interfere with religious practice or sentiment," the statement added.