New Delhi: Reliance Foundation-owned Vantara Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre on Tuesday said that it is committed to transparency and will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Supreme Court.
On Monday, the apex court constituted a four-member SIT headed by former apex court judge J Chelameswar to probe allegations of unlawful accusation of animals from India and abroad, mistreatment of the animals in captivity, financial irregularities and money laundering against the Jamnagar-based initiative of Reliance Foundation.
“We acknowledge the order of the Hon’ble 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. We will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigation Team and continue our work sincerely, always placing the welfare of animals at the heart of all our efforts. We request that the process be allowed to take place without speculation and in the best interest of the animals we serve,” Vantara said in a press statement.
The SIT is tasked with conducting on-site inspections in Jamnagar and engaging with regulators, intervenors, and independent experts. It will examine issues including acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants, compliance with WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972, International Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and import, export laws and other laws, besides complaints over misutilisation of water and carbon credits, as well as those of financial compliance and money laundering.
It has been asked to submit its report by September 12, with the next hearing in the case scheduled for September 15.
The court, however, emphasised that this is a fact-finding process and does not cast any doubts about Vantara or any authority at this point. “..this order neither expresses any opinion on the allegations made in the petitions nor this (should) order be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any of the statutory authorities or the private respondent-Vantara,” a bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale said while hearing two petitions.