Senior advocate Harish Salve, acting for Vantara, echoed this view, citing potential commercially sensitive details within the report.
Published Sep 15, 2025 | 4:30 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 15, 2025 | 4:32 PM
Anant Ambani's Vantara gets SC clean chit. Credit: iStock, ril.com
Synopsis: The Supreme Court reviewed the SIT report, led by Justice J Chelameswar, clearing Vantara – Anant Ambani’s Jamnagar zoo – of all allegations. The SC noted that the facility fully complies with the Wildlife Protection Act, CITES, and animal welfare norms.
The Supreme Court, on Monday 15 September, recognised that the SIT, chaired by former judge Justice J Chelameswar, granted a clean chit to Vantara – a zoological rescue and rehab centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, established by Anant Ambani.
The SIT was commissioned to conduct an impartial assessment of allegations and complaints regarding breaches at the facility.
A Bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale remarked that the SIT’s report confirmed Vantara’s complete adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks.
“We’ve reviewed the report’s summary, which highlights thorough compliance with regulations. Stakeholders’ perspectives were considered, and authorities have expressed contentment with the adherence to standards,” the Bench noted.
When the Bench proposed including the SIT report into its order, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Gujarat, suggested it was unnecessary have the full document.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, acting for Vantara, echoed this view, citing potential commercially sensitive details within the report.
The Bench concurred, indicating it would consider including only a summary in the official record and stated that a comprehensive order would be issued during the lunch break.
The SIT, alongside Justice Chelameswar, comprised Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts; Hemant Nagrale, a retired IPS officer and former Mumbai Police Commissioner; and Anish Gupta, IRS, Additional Commissioner of Customs.
The team was tasked with scrutinising the acquisition of animals, both domestic and international, particularly elephants; compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and zoo regulations; adherence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and import/export laws; standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, and welfare; causes of animal mortalities; and concerns about Vantara’s proximity to an industrial zone and its climatic suitability.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
