Supreme Court gives clean chit to Vantara, accepts SIT report: 'Let good things happen in the country'

The court said that based on the SIT report, it has been established that Vantara goes through complex multi-layered and multijurisdictional statutory approvals procedure while rescuing animals from various situations and housing them in its rescue centre.

"The imports of the animals have been made only after issuance of valid permits," it said.

The top court added that as per the SIT, Vantara facilities exceed prescribed benchmark when it comes to the welfare standards of conservation and preservation of the animals.

"We are more than satisfied that the facilities at Vantara in certain respects exceeds the prescribed standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care and welfare as well as the statutory benchmarks laid down by the Central Zoo Authority," it said.

It further noted that independent bodies such as Global Human Society, after site inspection and audit, has certified that Vantara has "not only complied with but exceeded internationally recognised benchmarks".

The court added that the SIT found allegations of "misuse of carbon credits, water resources or financial impropriety" as baseless while relying upon responses from agencies like CBI, DRI and ED.

In the oral observation during the hearing, Justice Mithal said that the acquisition of animals by Vantara was carried out in regulatory compliance. The top court added that it would not permit any party to raise unnecessary objections against the wildlife rescue centre. "Allow certain good things to happen in the country also. We should be happy about such things," the bench said.

During the hearing, the court directed that the SIT report to be resealed and kept confidential. A copy of the report was given to Vantara for its own use.

On August 25, the top court had formed the four-member SIT to conduct a fact-finding inquiry against Vantara, following allegations of non-compliance with laws and the acquisition of animals from India and abroad, especially elephants.

The SIT was headed by former Supreme Court judge J Chelameswar. Justice Chelameswar is known for his dissenting opinions, criticism of the opaque collegium system and his role in landmark judgments.

Notably, he was the sole dissenter when the apex court struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act and upheld its constitutional validity in 2015. He argued that transparency and accountability in the appointment of judges are vital for constitutional governance.

The Justice Chelameswar-led SIT was directed to examine and submit its report on the acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants, compliance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act and rules for zoos made thereunder, the International Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna, the import-export laws and other statutory requirements concerning the import and export of live animals.

The SIT was further ordered to examine the compliance when it came to standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, standards of animal welfare, mortalities and causes, complaints regarding climatic conditions and allegations concerning location near an industrial zone, complaints regarding the creation of a vanity or private collection, breeding, conservation programmes and use of biodiversity resources.

The top court last month described as "completely vague" the plea filed by petitioner C R Jaya Sukin seeking to get a monitoring committee formed to return the captive elephants in Vantara to their owners.

(With inputs from agencies)

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