Temple elephant row: Supreme Court SIT clears Ambani-run Vantara of alleged irregularities

New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Anant Ambani-Vantara has cleared the zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, of all alleged irregularities.

A bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale recorded the SIT report and noted that authorities expressed satisfaction regarding compliance and regulatory measures at Vantara. The report was submitted on Friday and perused by the apex court on Monday.

The Supreme Court stated that it will pass a detailed order later in the day after reviewing the SIT report.

The top court had constituted the four-member SIT on August 25, headed by a former apex court judge, to conduct a fact-finding inquiry following allegations of non-compliance with laws and acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants.

The SIT formation came after the court was hearing two PILs alleging irregularities against Vantara, based on media and social media reports, along with diverse complaints from NGOs and wildlife organisations.

Previous petitions criticised

Earlier, on August 14, the Supreme Court had described as "completely vague" a plea by petitioner C R Jaya Sukin, which sought a monitoring committee to return captive elephants at Vantara to their owners.