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"No violations of law whatsoever": SC on inquiries over Vantara

New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday noted that multiple inquiries into the affairs of Vantara, the animal rescue and rehabilitation centre, have led to the finding that there has been no violation of law whatsoever. A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale found that there is no merit in the allegations of smuggling of animals or money laundering against the Jamnagar-based facility, owned and operated by the Reliance Foundation. The Court's observations came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) plea, filed by one C.R. Jaya Sukin, who alleged that animals are being smuggled into and mistreated in Vantara. In response to the allegations raised in the plea, the Court had, on August 25, constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Jasti Chelameswar, to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the affairs of Vantara. Subsequently, on Friday, the SIT had submitted its report to the Supreme Court. The Court, after having considered the findings of the report, noted that the SIT, in its inquiry, covered the entire range of allegations against Vantara, which were not limited to illegal acquisition, smuggling and laundering of animals, but also regarding animal welfare, husbandry, conservation and breeding. While conducting its inquiry in coordination with several official authorities and expert bodies, the SIT also looked into issues of habitation of animals and of financial and trade improprieties, with regard to Vantara, the Court noted. The Court found that the SIT, in its thorough inquiry, found no violations of Indian laws and international conventions on wildlife protection, customs, foreign trade, money laundering and others. Thus, the Court accepted the SIT report. "The Court has no hesitation in accepting the conclusion so drawn in the report. Thus, as no contravention of law has been reported by the SIT, the complaints, particularly those listed in Schedule A in the summary of the report stands closed", the Court noted in its order. Further, as regards the welfare standards to be followed for the conservation and preservation of the animals, the Court noted that, as per the SIT report, the facilities at Vantara exceed the prescribed benchmark, and the mortality figures (of animals) align with the global zoological averages. "Upon consideration of the entire record, we are more than satisfied that the facilities at Vantara in certain respects exceed the prescribed standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care and welfare as well as the statutory benchmarks laid down by the Central Zoo Authority", the Court stated. After having accepted the SIT report to its satisfaction, the Court stated that it will not entertain any further complaints or proceedings based on the same allegations against Vantara. The Court also noted that the SIT, in its report, has made some suggestions regarding Vantara. Thus, it directed the facility to consider and implement such suggestions. In regard to Vantara's request to keep the detailed findings of the report confidential, the Court directed that the report will remain confidential and sealed, but a full copy will be shared with Vantara. The Court clarified that the summary of the report, which provides a faithful account of the conclusions reached by the SIT and does not carry comparable sensitivity or the same degree of confidentiality, shall not be treated as confidential. After issuing the directions above, the Court disposed of the petition. (ANI)

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