Supreme Court's Vantara Ruling: 10 Key Observations on Elephant Acquisition, Dismissing Public Interest Litigation.
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The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against Vantara, a zoological rescue and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, run by Reliance Foundation. The court affirmed that Vantara's animal acquisition was conducted in full compliance with regulations. Here are 10 key points from the Supreme Court's observations and order:

  1. Compliance with Regulations: The SC ruled that Vantara's acquisition of animals was conducted in full compliance with existing regulations. The court emphasized Vantara's strict adherence to the law and cautioned against tarnishing its image.
  2. Acceptance of SIT Findings: The court accepted the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was appointed to probe the center's operations. The bench endorsed the SIT's conclusions, noting that no contraventions of the law were established.
  3. Dismissal of Allegations: The Supreme Court dismissed allegations of unlawful animal acquisition, mistreatment of animals, and financial irregularities. The court noted that the PIL lacked supporting evidence.
  4. SIT's Thorough Investigation: The SIT conducted a detailed probe involving multiple agencies and concluded that Vantara did not violate any provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, rules for zoos, or other relevant laws and guidelines. The team also conducted a physical verification and inspection of Vantara.
  5. Rejection of Financial Impropriety Charges: The SIT rejected claims of misuse of carbon credits, water resources, or financial irregularities. The Enforcement Directorate clarified that there was no violation of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) provisions.
  6. Criticism of Unfounded Allegations: The SIT criticized the unfounded allegations against statutory bodies and court-appointed committees. The court justices emphasized supporting positive initiatives in the country and cautioned against unnecessary criticism.
  7. No Further Petitions: The apex court ruled that no further petitions or complaints based on the same allegations would be entertained, ensuring finality and preventing repetitive inquiries.
  8. Implementation of SIT Recommendations: The court directed Vantara and relevant authorities to act on the recommendations made by the SIT.
  9. Right to Legal Recourse: Vantara has been granted the right to pursue legal remedies against those spreading misinformation, including seeking deletion of false publications, initiating defamation proceedings, or filing private complaints.
  10. Appreciation for SIT's Promptness: The Supreme Court appreciated the promptness of the SIT in completing its task and indicated that an honorarium may be provided to its members.

The Supreme Court's decision effectively ends the controversy surrounding Vantara, affirming that the facility's operations are in compliance with the law and that allegations of wrongdoing are unfounded. The court's observations highlight the importance of supporting positive initiatives and avoiding unnecessary criticism. Vantara, conceptualized by Anant Ambani and supported by the Reliance Foundation, has been positioned as a world-class conservation effort.


Written By
Kavya Iyer is a storyteller at heart, driven by a curiosity to uncover the human experiences that shape the world of sports. Her writing connects audiences to the determination and resilience of athletes at all levels. Kavya’s balanced reporting style blends insight, empathy, and impact. She believes great sports journalism inspires as much as it informs.
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