SC Forms SIT to Probe Vantara Wildlife Centre Affairs Led by Justice Chelameswar

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the activities of Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre, run by Reliance Foundation, in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The team will be headed by former Supreme Court judge J. Chelameswar and will investigate allegations relating to the centre's compliance with the wildlife laws and other legislative compulsions.

Spanning 3,000 acres in the Green Belt of Reliance's Jamnagar Refinery Complex, Vantara hopes to make substantial contributions to conservation worldwide. Recent petitions, however, caused concerns regarding its operations that the apex court was forced to act upon despite the observation that initial complaints lacked evidence. "In the ends of justice, an independent factual appraisal is warranted," the court noted.

Composition of the SIT

The SIT will comprise:

• Justice Raghvendra Chauhan, ex-Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts

• Hemant Nagrale, ex-Mumbai Police Commissioner

• Anish Gupta, Additional Commissioner (Customs)

The Supreme Court ordered that the SIT will get complete cooperation from the Central Zoo Authority, the CITES Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Gujarat state authorities, i.e., its Forest and Police Departments.

Scope of Investigation

The SIT is mandated to investigate various aspects of Vantara's activities:

• Importation of animals from India and overseas, especially elephants

• Adherence to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and rules for zoos

• Compliance with the International Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES)

• Animal care and husbandry, veterinary standards, and welfare measures

• Issues related to climatic conditions and the centre's proximity to an industrial area

• Charges of establishing a private collection or vanity zoo

• Water and carbon credit abuse

• Suspected violations of law, such as wildlife trafficking and money laundering

The supreme court clarified that the SIT's mission is strictly fact-finding and should not be read into as casting aspersion on statutory powers or Vantara's operations.

Timeline and Reporting

Justice Chelameswar's bench has been asked to file its report by September 12, 2025. The Supreme Court made it clear that the SIT report will assist in giving clarity on statutory violations and accountability in wildlife conservation methods.

This probe is a big step towards tracking top-of-the-line wildlife conservation projects in India, bringing into focus the judiciary's responsibility to ensure compliance with ecological and animal welfare regulations.

ALSO READ: SC Orders Samay Raina, Balraj, Vipul Goyal and Others to Apologise for ‘Insensitive’ Jokes