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Supreme Court Expresses Satisfaction With Vantara Investigation Report; SIT Findings To Remain Confidential News24 –

National
By Correspondent


The Supreme Court has expressed satisfaction over the internal assessment done by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the probe into the cases of Vantra, an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre located in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale of the Supreme Court said that they will pronounce their verdict on the matter after considering the findings of the sealed report.

The Court also added that it will direct the government authorities to take suggestions or recommendations, if any, with regard to improving the functioning of Vantara.

The Court also clarified that once its satisfied that Vantara had been found to be in compliance of all the laws with regard to safety of animals, it will not permit any party to raise unnecessary objections against the rescue centre.

During the hearing, the court said, “Now we have the report of an independent committee. We will proceed on the basis of that. The opinion of experts has also been taken in this report. All the officials will be free to consider the recommendations given by the committee. We will not allow anyone to raise objections repeatedly.” This stance of the Supreme Court in this matter is being seen as an important step towards maintaining transparency in the functioning of Vantra and vigilance towards animal safety.

In response to the allegations raised in the plea, the Court had, on August 25, constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Jasti Chelameswar, to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the affairs of Vantara. Subsequently, on Friday, the SIT had submitted its report to the Supreme Court.

The Court, after having considered the findings of the report, noted that the SIT, in its inquiry, covered the entire range of allegations against Vantara, which were not limited to illegal acquisition, smuggling and laundering of animals, but also regarding animal welfare, husbandry, conservation and breeding.

While conducting its inquiry in coordination with several official authorities and expert bodies, the SIT also looked into issues of habitation of animals and of financial and trade improprieties, with regard to Vantara, the Court noted. The Court found that the SIT, in its thorough inquiry, found no violations of Indian laws and international conventions on wildlife protection, customs, foreign trade, money laundering and others.

Thus, the Court accepted the SIT report. “The Court has no hesitation in accepting the conclusion so drawn in the report. Thus, as no contravention of law has been reported by the SIT, the complaints, particularly those listed in Schedule A in the summary of the report stands closed”, the Court noted in its order. Further, as regards the welfare standards to be followed for the conservation and preservation of the animals, the Court noted that, as per the SIT report, the facilities at Vantara exceed the prescribed benchmark, and the mortality figures (of animals) align with the global zoological averages. “Upon consideration of the entire record, we are more than satisfied that the facilities at Vantara in certain respects exceed the prescribed standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care and welfare as well as the statutory benchmarks laid down by the Central Zoo Authority”, the Court stated.

After having accepted the SIT report to its satisfaction, the Court stated that it will not entertain any further complaints or proceedings based on the same allegations against Vantara. The Court also noted that the SIT, in its report, has made some suggestions regarding Vantara. Thus, it directed the facility to consider and implement such suggestions. In regard to Vantara’s request to keep the detailed findings of the report confidential, the Court directed that the report will remain confidential and sealed, but a full copy will be shared with Vantara.

The Court clarified that the summary of the report, which provides a faithful account of the conclusions reached by the SIT and does not carry comparable sensitivity or the same degree of confidentiality, shall not be treated as confidential. After issuing the directions above, the Court disposed of the petition.




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