In a major relief for Reliance, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favour of Vantara, the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, dismissing all allegations of illegal animal acquisitions and financial impropriety.
The judgment brings closure to months of legal scrutiny and public debate over the Jamnagar-based wildlife facility, operated by the Reliance Foundation and touted as one of India’s largest conservation initiatives.
The Supreme Court accepted the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by retired Justice Jasti Chelameswar, which concluded that Vantara had not violated any laws related to animal acquisition, welfare, or financial operations.
Following a three-week probe, the court closed all related complaints, barred future cases on the same allegations, directed Vantara to implement the SIT’s recommended measures, and permitted legal action against defamatory content. The SIT report summary was made public, and its members were awarded honorariums.
The case was initiated by two writ petitions that charged Vantara with unlawful animal acquisition, smuggling, financial misconduct, and environmental violations. Although the Supreme Court initially did not find substantial evidence, it established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in August 2025 because of the gravity of the allegations.
The Special Investigation Team, which includes retired judges and senior officials, collaborated with organizations such as the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Customs, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). They examined documents, affidavits, conducted site inspections, gathered expert opinions, and conducted personal hearings.
No Legal Violations
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) discovered no violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Zoo Rules, CZA guidelines, Customs Act, FEMA, Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), or CITES. Additionally, it confirmed that all acquisitions and imports were properly documented and authorized.
Animal Welfare And World-Class Facilities
The investigation team reported that Vantara's facilities surpassed the established standards for welfare, animal care, and veterinary services. The mortality rates were consistent with international zoological norms. The Vantara center has received the esteemed Global Humane Certified Seal of Approval, ranking it among the top animal welfare organizations worldwide.
Financial Allegations Proven Baseless
The petitions' allegations regarding the misuse of carbon credits, money laundering, or water exploitation were rejected. There were no findings of irregular financial transactions or connections to smuggling.
Pattern of Repetitive Complaints
The Supreme Court also noted that Vantara has faced numerous allegations over the years, yet the center has consistently withstood scrutiny. The court stated that such speculative petitions constitute an abuse of the judicial process.
