Supreme Court SIT gives clean chit to Anant Ambani’s Vantara, warns against tarnishing its image

The Supreme Court on Monday accepted the findings of a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) that gave a clean chit to Anant Ambani’s wildlife rehabilitation project, Vantara, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mittal and P.B. Varale noted that the SIT, appointed by the apex court, found no violations of law in Vantara’s functioning. “Vantara is strictly following the law. Do not tarnish its image,” the bench observed, while stating that a detailed order will follow.

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The SIT, headed by a former Supreme Court justice, was constituted on August 25 after allegations surfaced that Vantara was illegally acquiring elephants from temples and abroad. The fact-finding inquiry was initiated in response to petitions, including one by activist C.R. Jayasukin, who alleged that elephants were being systematically removed from temples without due process.

Facility complies with all regulatory requirements

The committee, however, concluded that the facility complies with all regulatory requirements. The court emphasized that allegations must be backed by evidence and general claims cannot be entertained.

Spread over 3,000 acres within the Reliance Refinery Complex, Vantara—described as Anant Ambani’s dream project—houses state-of-the-art shelters, hydrotherapy pools, and specialized care systems for elephants, including arthritis treatment. The initiative was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With the SIT’s report affirming its operations, the Supreme Court stressed that unfounded criticism should not undermine Vantara’s conservation efforts.