SIT Inquiring Allegations Against Vantara Wildlife Centre Submits Sealed Cover Report In Supreme Court

The Special Investigation Team constituted to inquire into the affairs of Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) run by the Reliance Foundation at Jamnagar, Gujarat has submitted its report in a sealed cover before the Supreme Court.

"The SIT formed by this Court has submitted a report in a sealed cover along with pen drive which also contains the report as well as its annexures. It is accepted and directed to be taken on record," recorded a bench comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Prasanna B Varale.

It was on August 25 that the bench ordered the constitution of the SIT headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice J Chelameswar to inquire into the allegations against Vanatara.

Justice Raghvendra Chauhan (former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Court), Mr.Hemant Nagrale IPS (Former Mumbai Police Commissioner), Mr.Anish Gupta IRS( Addl Commissioner Customs) are the other members of the SIT.

The SIT was directed to examine and submit report inter alia on the following:-

(a) acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants;

(b) compliance of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and rules for zoos made thereunder;

(c) International Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and compliance with import/export laws and other statutory requirements concerning imports/exports of live animals;

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(d) compliance with standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, standards of animal welfare, mortalities and causes thereof;

(e) complaints regarding climatic conditions and allegations concerning location near an industrial zone;

(f) complaints regarding creation of a vanity or private collection, breeding, conservation programs and use of biodiversity resources;

(g) complaints regarding misutilisation of water and carbon credits;

(h) complaints regarding allegations of breach of different provisions of law, trade in animals or animal articles, wildlife smuggling etc. as made in the articles/stories/complaints referred to in the petitions as well as generally;

(i) complaints regarding issues of financial compliance, money laundering etc.

(j) complaints regarding any other subject, issue or matter germane to the allegations made in these Petitions.

Case : C R Jaya Sukin v Union of India

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