The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) has presented the management of Vantara, Reliance Industries’ animal rescue and conservation centre in Jamnagar, with a detailed questionnaire of 195 queries. The questions cover a wide range of issues, including financial dealings and the acquisition of animals from both domestic and international sources.
Coordination with Central Agencies
According to sources, the SIT is also preparing to involve central investigative bodies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the Customs department to gather information on pending complaints against Vantara. These steps follow a three-day visit by SIT members to the centre last week.
Supreme Court Mandate
Vantara, spread across 3,500 acres, was founded by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation. The Supreme Court directed an inquiry into its operations last month while hearing petitions that alleged irregularities in animal acquisition, mistreatment of animals in captivity, financial inconsistencies, and possible money laundering. Petitioners also raised questions about compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and zoo regulations.
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P.B. Varale, while forming the SIT, underlined that so far the claims remained allegations without material proof. The team, headed by former Supreme Court judge J. Chelameswar, has been tasked with examining these concerns and submitting a report to the apex court by 12 September.
SIT’s Composition and Actions
The SIT also includes former chief justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts Raghvendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and Additional Commissioner of Customs Anish Gupta. During its visit, the team questioned Vantara’s Chief Financial Officer along with several directors of the centre.
The management has been asked to share details about international partners who have donated wildlife species, and those donors may also be questioned.
Evidence Gathering
So far, the SIT has called officials from the wildlife and forest departments of Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh to assist in the inquiry. Around 10 individuals, including journalists, NGO representatives, and petitioners, have already met the team to present evidence.
“The SIT has called NGOs, journalists and petitioners who claim to have proof of Vantara’s violations and asked them to submit all material in their possession,” a source confirmed.
Awaiting Response
ThePrint reached out to Vantara’s spokesperson for comment on the SIT’s visit and questionnaire but had received no response at the time of reporting. The SIT’s findings, once compiled, will guide the Supreme Court’s next steps in the case.
