The Supreme Court-appointed SIT probing the affairs of Vantara has given a clean chit to the zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar.
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale took the report on record and noted that authorities have expressed satisfaction on the issue of compliance and regulatory measures in Vantara.
India Today quoted Supreme Court saying, "There is nothing wrong if Vantara takes over elephants from the forest department as long as the procedure is followed. The SIT constituted by us has reported that authorities have expressed satisfaction on the issues of compliance and regulatory measures."
On August 25, a bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the chairmanship of a retired apex court judge to probe into wide-ranging accusations, not only against Vantara but also casting aspersions on statutory authorities and even courts.
Ordinarily, such pleas "warrant dismissal in limine", the Justice Mithal-led bench observed.
However, noting allegations that statutory authorities and even courts were unwilling or incapable of discharging their mandate -- particularly in the absence of verified facts -- the apex court said it was appropriate "in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal which may establish the violation, as alleged, if any".
Apart from retired Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar, the SIT comprises former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Courts Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, and senior IRS officer Anish Gupta as members.
As per the top court's order, the SIT was tasked to examine issues including acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants; compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; International Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) obligations; standards of veterinary care and animal welfare; allegations of creating a vanity or private collection; misuse of water or carbon credits; and allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering.
The Justice Mithal-led bench clarified that the exercise is "only to assist the Court as a fact-finding inquiry" and "shall not be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any statutory authorities or the private respondent-Vantara".
"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," it said.
Asking the SIT to submit its report by September 12, the Supreme Court said the two PILs will be listed on September 15 to consider the SIT findings.
With inputs IANS