However, the bench clarified that the SIT inquiry has been ordered as a fact-finding exercise and that it has not expressed anything on the merits of the allegations.
Supreme Court of India | File Photo
The Supreme Court on Monday ordered an SIT investigation into the affairs of Reliance Foundation-run Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre at Gujarat’s Jamnagar.
Hearing a petition filed Advocate CR Jaya Sukin, who made widespread allegations against the functioning of the centre, a bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Prasanna B Varale, said that the SIT will examine Vantara’s compliance of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and probe the allegations of animal smuggling, misutilisation of water bodies and money laundering among others.
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However, the bench clarified that the SIT inquiry has been ordered as a fact-finding exercise and that it has not expressed anything on the merits of the allegations.
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The SIT will be headed by Justice Chelameswar. The other members include former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Court, Justice Raghvendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner, Hemant Nagrale IPS, and Additional Commissioner Customs, Anish Gupta IRS.
The apex court also directed Central Zoo Authority, the CITES Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the State of Gujarat, including its Forest and Police Departments to assist the SIT.
The SIT shall examine and submit report on acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants, compliance of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
It will also look into Vantara’s compliance with import/export laws and other statutory requirements concerning imports/exports of live animals;compliance with standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, standards of animal welfare, mortalities and causes thereof.
The probe committee will also probe the complaints regarding climatic conditions and allegations concerning location near an industrial zone, complaints regarding creation of a vanity or private collection, breeding, conservation programs and use of biodiversity resources, complaints regarding misutilisation of water and carbon credits, complaints regarding allegations of breach of different provisions of law, trade in animals or animal articles, wildlife smuggling etc.
Besides, complaints regarding issues of financial compliance, and money laundering will also be examined by the Justice Chelameswar-led SIT.
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