New Delhi, September 12, 2025 – The ongoing Vantara inquiry into allegations of animal procurement, treatment, and financial dealings at the world’s largest private wildlife rescue facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has taken a significant step forward. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Supreme Court on August 25, officially submitted its fact-finding report in a sealed cover to the Court on Friday.
A Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale recorded that the SIT, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar, filed its detailed findings along with annexures and a pen drive containing additional supporting material. “It is accepted and directed to be taken on record,” the Court observed in its September 12 order.
Formation of the SIT for Vantara Inquiry
The Supreme Court had formed the SIT less than a month ago with a clear mandate: to probe allegations surrounding the Vantara Centre, an ambitious animal rescue and rehabilitation project founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani under the Reliance Foundation. The SIT was asked to examine claims of unlawful procurement of animals, mistreatment in captivity, procedural lapses, and possible money laundering.
Apart from Justice Chelameswar, the SIT includes:
- Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts
- Hemant Nagrale, former Mumbai Police Commissioner
- Anish Gupta, senior officer from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
The multidisciplinary composition was aimed at ensuring both legal and financial aspects of the inquiry were examined thoroughly.
Ground Inspections and Information Gathering
As part of the investigation, the SIT members spent three days at the Vantara Centre in Jamnagar. They toured the 3,500-acre wildlife facility, inspected housing and veterinary care arrangements, and studied compliance procedures. A comprehensive questionnaire was circulated seeking details on:
- Financial transactions linked to the project
- Wildlife transfer permissions and inter-state clearances
- International import/export rules compliance
- Standards for animal housing, nutrition, and medical care
Sixteen government agencies assisted the SIT during the inquiry, with special involvement from forest and wildlife department officials who were summoned to explain elephant transfers and other animal acquisitions.
The Supreme Court’s Directions
The Supreme Court had earlier instructed the SIT to submit its findings by September 12, 2025, and to address all major complaints flagged in the petitions. The scope of the Vantara inquiry was vast and covered multiple sensitive issues. The Court directed the SIT to look into:
- Acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants.
- Compliance with Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and zoo rules framed under it.
- Adherence to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and other import/export laws for live animals.
- Animal husbandry standards including veterinary care, mortality rates, and causes.
- Complaints about climatic unsuitability and the facility’s location near an industrial zone.
- Allegations of creating a private collection versus genuine conservation programs.
- Use and possible misuse of water and carbon credits.
- Reports on illegal trade in wildlife and animal articles as raised in petitions and media stories.
- Possible financial irregularities and money laundering.
- Any other issues linked to the allegations or complaints filed in the case.
By widening the ambit of the inquiry, the Court ensured that the SIT would address not only wildlife-related concerns but also ecological, financial, and legal aspects connected with Vantara’s functioning.
Allegations and Public Debate
The petitions and complaints against Vantara raised several pointed allegations. Critics claimed the facility may have been involved in illegal animal transfers, particularly elephants, under the guise of conservation. There were also accusations about unsuitable climate conditions in Jamnagar for species not native to Gujarat, along with questions about whether the sanctuary was a genuine conservation initiative or merely a private vanity project.
Concerns about wildlife smuggling, financial mismanagement, and environmental exploitation were also submitted for examination. The inquiry, therefore, carries both national and international significance, as India’s commitments under wildlife protection laws and global treaties like CITES come under direct scrutiny.
Vantara’s Position and Background
Founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara was launched in 2024 as part of the Reliance Foundation’s philanthropic activities. The project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and presented as one of the largest private-sector commitments to animal rescue and rehabilitation in the world.
Spread across 3,500 acres in Jamnagar, the centre claims to provide advanced veterinary facilities, large naturalistic enclosures, and rehabilitation programs for elephants, big cats, herbivores, and exotic birds. Vantara has also stated that its focus is on animal welfare, conservation breeding, ecological restoration, and species revival.
Supporters of the project argue that it fills a gap in India’s wildlife rescue infrastructure by offering world-class veterinary technology and trained staff. However, critics remain skeptical, pointing to the scale of acquisitions and the opaque nature of certain financial transactions.
Also read: VANTARA India’s Landmark Wildlife Rescue Movement Setting Global Standards
What Happens Next in the Vantara Inquiry?
The SIT’s report, now with the Supreme Court in a sealed cover, will be examined by the Bench in the coming weeks. The Court is expected to decide on further directions, which could include:
- Opening parts of the report to the public
- Ordering corrective measures if irregularities are confirmed
- Directing additional probes into financial or wildlife trade aspects
- Issuing guidelines for better monitoring of private conservation projects in India
For now, the details of the report remain confidential, but the case has already sparked wider debate about the future of private participation in wildlife conservation in India.
Also read: Vantara News: Animal Numbers Rise from 4,600 to 75,000 – Questions Over Wildlife Policy
Conclusion
The Vantara inquiry represents a landmark case at the intersection of conservation, law, and corporate responsibility. By constituting an SIT led by top former judges and senior officers, the Supreme Court has signaled the seriousness of the allegations and the need for transparent accountability.
Whether Vantara emerges vindicated as a pioneering model for animal welfare or faces deeper legal scrutiny will depend on how the Court interprets the SIT’s findings. Either way, the case sets an important precedent for how India balances private investment, ecological responsibility, and wildlife protection in the years ahead.
