Vantara’s acquisition of animals in compliance with rules, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday said that the acquisition of animals by Vantara, the wildlife rescue centre run by Reliance Foundation in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, was prima facie within the regulatory mechanism, Live Law reported.

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and PB Varale said that the Special Investigation Team found no foul play.

The team was constituted by the court on August 25 to look into whether the centre complied with the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act and zoo rules, and statutes governing the acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants.

The action had come while the court was hearing two petitions filed following the controversy over shifting an ailing elephant from a temple in Kolhapur to Vantara in July. The team had been directed to submit its report by September 12.

The investigating team, headed by retired Justice J Chelameswar, submitted the report to the court last week, the Hindustan Times reported. According to the report, the team was satisfied with the compliance and regulatory measures followed by Vantara.

During the hearing on Monday, the bench said: “We have gone through the summary of the report. It notes erudite regulatory compliance. It notes that stakeholders also presented views. Authorities have expressed satisfaction with the regulatory compliance.”

The court also said that the report will be made part of the order.

However, Solicitor...

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