Reliance’s Vantara Under Supreme Court Scrutiny as SIT Probe Ordered

New Delhi: Reliance Industries’ high-profile animal rescue and rehabilitation project, Vantara, will undergo a Supreme Court-ordered investigation into allegations ranging from unlawful animal acquisition to financial irregularities. The apex court on Monday (August 25, 2025) set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by former Supreme Court judge Justice J. Chelameswar to conduct a fact-finding inquiry and submit its report by September 12.

The order followed two petitions accusing Vantara, a 3,000-acre zoological facility in Jamnagar conceptualised by Anant Ambani, of mistreating animals, violating environmental laws, and using its conservation efforts as a cover for private gain. While the court acknowledged that the petitions relied heavily on media reports and lacked substantive evidence, it said an independent review was warranted to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Ordinarily, a petition resting on such unsupported allegations does not deserve in law to be entertained rather warrants dismissal in limine,” a Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P.B. Varale said. “However, in the wake of the allegations that the statutory authorities or the courts are either unwilling or incapable of discharging their mandate… we consider it appropriate in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal.”

The judges clarified that the probe is not a reflection on Vantara’s operations or government regulators. “This order neither expresses any opinion on the allegations made in the petitions nor should it be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any of the statutory authorities or the private respondent, Vantara,” they said.

Reliance responded swiftly, underscoring its commitment to transparency and pledging full cooperation with investigators. “We acknowledge the order of the Supreme Court with utmost regard. Vantara remains committed to transparency, compassion and full compliance with the law. Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals,” ANI quoted the company’s statement. The centre requested that the inquiry be allowed to proceed “without speculation and in the best interest of the animals we serve.”

The SIT will examine Vantara’s animal acquisition practices, particularly elephants sourced from India and abroad, and assess compliance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, rules governing zoos, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It will also review allegations of wildlife smuggling, misuse of water and carbon credits, biodiversity programmes, and other financial matters. Besides Justice Chelameswar, the SIT includes Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts; Hemant Nagrale, former Mumbai Police Commissioner; and Anish Gupta, Additional Commissioner, Customs.

The petitions, filed by advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin and Dev Sharma, alleged that Vantara functions more as a private zoological collection than a conservation project. Critics have questioned its proximity to industrial operations and claimed regulatory lapses in its animal care and acquisition processes. While Reliance has positioned Vantara as a world-class sanctuary dedicated to animal welfare, its operations have increasingly drawn scrutiny from activists and conservationists.

The investigation represents a rare instance of judicial intervention into a privately funded conservation initiative of this scale. Reliance, one of India’s most valuable companies, has poured significant investment into the Jamnagar project, which it showcases as part of its broader environmental and sustainability agenda. The SIT’s findings, due in two weeks, could shape public and regulatory perceptions of the initiative, potentially influencing how private players engage with conservation and biodiversity efforts in India.