Supreme Court vindicates Vantara; affirms lawful, world-class conservation, recognises settled and vested right in Vantara's favour
New Delhi, May 29
Vantara has welcomed a comprehensive and emphatic order of the Supreme Court of India that it says brings final closure to a prolonged campaign of allegations concerning its wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation work, and affirms the lawful and ethical foundation of everything Vantara does.
A Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria dismissed a fresh application that sought to reopen matters already examined in exhaustive detail by a high-powered Special Investigation Team.
The SIT, constituted by the Supreme Court itself, was presided over by a former Judgeof the Supreme Court and comprised a former Chief Justice of a High Court, a former Commissioner of Police and a senior Customs officer, assisted by the enforcement and regulatory agencies.
Examining every animal transfer jurisdiction by jurisdiction -- across the UAE, Venezuela, Brazil, the Czech Republic, South Africa and beyond -- the Court found each to be a lawful, non-commercial, zoo-to-zoo movement, supported by valid CITES export and import permits and the requisite approvals of the Central Zoo Authority. The Court affirmed that Vantara acted at all times in good faith, and that an irregularity, if any, by a foreign exporter in its own country cannot fasten liability on the Indian institution that received the animals lawfully.
The Court further recognised that conservation work of true global significance is being carried out at Jamnagar -- including direct engagement with Brazil on the reintroduction of endangered macaws and a conservation breeding programme that advances worldwide species recovery.
The Bench held that disturbing the settled, cared-for environment of rescued animalsafter their lawful arrival may itself amount to cruelty -- an affirmation of the very welfare principles on which Vantara was founded.
The Court recognised that a settled and vested right has accrued in favour of Vantara, its trustees, directors and management, with that protection extending to its founding institutions, the Reliance Foundation and Reliance Industries. The only directions issued by the Court look firmly to the future, strengthening India's CITES framework for the benefit of the country's regulatory architecture.
Speaking on the order, Vivaan Karani, Chief Executive Officer of Vantara, said, "This judgment affirms the truth that has guided us from the very first rescue that every animal in our care arrived lawfully, was treated ethically, and is protected for life. The nation's highest court has recognised yet again, not only the integrity of our work, but the spirit behind it. At Vantara, conservation is not a claim, it is a daily act of compassion. To every sceptic, our answer remains the same as our promise to every creature we have everhealed -- Every Life Matters. We are humbled, we are vindicated, and we aremore committed than ever to the animals who depend on us."
Vantara say it remains steadfast in its mission of rescue, rehabilitation and lifelong care, and in its commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare, transparency and international conservation cooperation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
My only concern is that Reliance Foundation is involved. Yes, the court cleared them, but with big corporate interests, we need to keep an eye on transparency in animal welfare. That said, if Vantara is truly saving endangered species and the judiciary has given them a clean chit, then good for them—and for the animals. Just hope the monitoring doesn't stop here.
It's sad that people tried to weaponise animal welfare laws against a genuine conservation effort. The Supreme Court saying "disturbing settled animals may be cruelty" is a powerful reminder that these campaigns hurt the very creatures they claim to protect. Vantara's statement about "Every Life Matters" feels genuine here. 🙏
As someone working in international wildlife policy, I have to say this judgment is significant. The Court's recognition that liability for a foreign exporter's paperwork errors shouldn't fall on the receiving institution is a sensible legal principle. Plus, the CITES permit verification across multiple countries shows diligence. Vantara seems to be doing serious conservation work—hats off!
I can't help but wonder why the same energy isn't spent on India's actual illegal wildlife trade problems in other parts of the country. But if Vantara is genuinely doing this without commercial gain, then let's support them. The SC has spoken, and I trust the due process. Just hope the focus now shifts to protecting our native wildlife too.
Kya baat hai! Finally some good news for conservation efforts in India. The SIT was no joke—a
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