{"id":357874,"date":"2025-08-26T13:30:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T08:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=357874"},"modified":"2025-08-30T10:37:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T05:07:58","slug":"supreme-court-sit-justice-jasti-chelameswar-vantara-wildlife-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/26\/supreme-court-sit-justice-jasti-chelameswar-vantara-wildlife-centre\/","title":{"rendered":"Supreme Court constitutes SIT led by Justice Jasti Chelameswar to probe Reliance Foundation’s \u2018Vantara\u2019 Wildlife Centre in Gujarat"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Supreme Court:<\/span> After two writ petitions were filed under Article 32<\/a> of the Constitution<\/a> in public interest, based exclusively on reports and stories published in newspapers, circulated on social media, and on various complaints submitted by non-governmental organizations and wildlife organizations, containing allegations against ‘Vantara’ (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) [respondent], operated by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the Division Bench comprising Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale, JJ. directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (‘SIT’) to inquire into the affairs of Vantara. The SIT, led by Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Jasti Chelameswar, has been tasked with examining, among other issues, the compliance with the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<\/a> and other relevant statutory frameworks in relation to the acquisition of animals, particularly elephants, from both within India and abroad.<\/p>\n

The petitions made wide-ranging accusations, including unlawful acquisition of animals from India and abroad, mistreatment of animals in captivity, financial irregularities, money laundering, and other serious concerns. These petitions were not confined to making allegations against Vantara but also cast aspersions upon statutory authorities such as the Central Zoo Authority, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (‘CITES’), as well as the Courts. In essence, the petitions sought to indict the aforementioned institutions solely based on media reports.<\/p>\n

Upon a reading of the pleadings, the Court found that the petitions merely contained allegations without any material of probative value. There appeared to be no supporting evidence to substantiate the claims made. Given the sweeping nature of the allegations, the Court observed that inviting a counter from Vantara or any other party would serve little purpose. Ordinarily, a petition resting solely on such unverified and unsupported allegations does not merit consideration in law and warrants dismissal at the threshold.<\/p>\n

However, in light of the serious nature of the allegations, particularly those questioning the willingness or ability of statutory authorities and even the Courts to discharge their mandated duties, the Court deemed it appropriate, in the interest of justice, to order an independent factual appraisal. This would help establish whether any violations, as alleged, had indeed occurred. Accordingly, the Court directed the constitution of an SIT comprising individuals of impeccable integrity, high repute, and extensive experience in public service.<\/p>\n

In view of the foregoing, the Court constituted an SIT with the following members:<\/p>\n

Chairperson:<\/h3>\n

i. Justice Jasti Chelameswar (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India)<\/p>\n

Members:<\/p>\n

ii. Justice Raghvendra S. Chauhan (Former Chief Justice, High Courts of Uttarakhand and Telangana)<\/p>\n

iii. Mr. Hemant Nagrale, IPS (Former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai)<\/p>\n

iv. Mr. Anish Gupta, IRS (Additional Commissioner, Customs)<\/p>\n

The SIT has been tasked with conducting an independent and comprehensive factual appraisal and to submit a report addressing, inter alia, the following issues:<\/p>\n