SC Appoints Justice Chelameswar-Led SIT to Investigate Vantara Allegations

The Supreme Court on August 25, 2025, constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Jasti Chelameswar to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into allegations of unlawful procurement of animals, mistreatment in captivity, financial irregularities, and money laundering concerning Vantara Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale asked the SIT to conduct the inquiry entrusted to it forthwith and to submit the report by September 12, 2025.

The petitions alleged large-scale acquisition of animals from India and abroad, violations of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, non-compliance with CITES norms, and misuse of resources such as water and carbon credits.

The Court noted that the accusations extended beyond the private respondent to include statutory authorities like the Central Zoo Authority, the CITES Management Authority, and even courts.

“In short, the petitions proceed to indict above referred institutions simply based upon media reporting,” the Bench said.

Stating that the petitions lacked probative material, the Court remarked, “Upon the reading of the pleadings, we find that what has been presented through these petitions are only allegations with no material of probative worth. There appears to be no supporting material.”

It added, “Ordinarily, a petition resting on such unsupported allegations does not deserve in law to be entertained rather warrant dismissal in limine.”

However, considering the nature of the allegations and concerns that statutory authorities or courts may be “either unwilling or incapable of discharging their mandate,” the Court deemed it appropriate to order an independent factual appraisal.

“We consider it appropriate in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal which may establish the violation, as alleged, if any,” the Bench observed.

Accordingly, the SIT has been constituted with Justice Chelameswar as Chairperson, and Justice Raghavendra Chauhan (former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts), Hemant Nagrale, IPS (former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai), and Anish Gupta, IRS (Additional Commissioner, Customs) as members.

The SIT has been tasked with examining acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants; compliance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; adherence to CITES obligations; compliance with import/export laws for live animals; standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care and welfare; and mortality data.

It will also probe allegations regarding climatic conditions, the centre’s proximity to an industrial zone, creation of a vanity collection, breeding and conservation programs, misuse of water and carbon credits, wildlife smuggling, financial compliance, and money laundering.

The SIT may inquire into any other relevant matter and give its opinion on actions necessary and the manner in which such action may be directed by the Court.

The Court directed that the SIT will be assisted fully by the 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.

All private entities, including Vantara, must extend full cooperation.

“Any incident of non-assistance or non-cooperation by any person, authority or institution brought to the notice of this Court or noted in the SIT’s report, would compel this Court to consider taking appropriate actions or to issue directions, including action for contempt,” the order cautioned.

It clarified that the exercise was a fact-finding inquiry to ascertain the true factual position and enable the Court to pass further orders, if necessary.

“However, this order neither expresses any opinion on the allegations made in the petitions nor this order be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any of the statutory authorities or the private respondent Vantara,” the Bench added.

The SIT has been asked to conduct the inquiry forthwith and submit its report by September 12, 2025. The matter will be listed on September 15, 2025 for consideration of the report.

Case Title: C R Jaya Sukin v. Union of India & Ors.

Date of Judgment: August 25, 2025

Bench: Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale