NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has turned down plea for fresh investigation into the international acquisition and transfer of animals to Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) at Jamnagar in Gujarat, saying the apex court appointed SIT, headed by retired SC judge J Chelameswar, had already given a clean chit and found no violation of law.A bench of Justices P K Mishra and N V Anjaria said the SIT’s terms of reference were of the widest amplitude, covering every facet of the affairs of Vantara from inception, and nothing wrong was found.”Upon consideration, we are of the clear opinion that none of the directions prayed for can be granted,” the bench said while rejecting the plea.The court did not find merit in the allegation that materials have since emerged in inquiries, investigations or prosecutions in Brazil, the UAE, Uganda, Peru, Malaysia and Venezuela that could have bearing upon international acquisition and transfer of animals. SC said all the issues raised now stood addressed already by the SIT and there is no need for fresh examination.”The process adopted by the SIT was thorough. It held several meetings, conducted site inspections, afforded opportunity to all concerned to submit information and documents, examined the foreign donor zoos and entities,” the court said.SC said the SIT also “called for and considered the responses of CITES Management Authorities of, inter alia, UAE, Venezuela, Democratic Republic of the Congo, etc. and obtained information from all concerned, namely, CBI, ED, DRI, commissioner of customs at Jamnagar, WCCB and district police”. “Notice was issued to complainants, journalists and environmentalists who had published or raised allegations, including those whose reportage the applicant/petitioner now relies upon and each one who appeared before the SIT was heard,” it said.In view of the SIT report, accepted by this court by an order dated Sept 15, 2025, and affirmed by an order March 9, 2026, the respondent “cannot be investigated, inquired into, much less prosecuted, in respect of the transfers therein examined, no direction can be issued to any domestic authority in respect of the specimens so transferred, and the matter cannot be reopened at the instance of any body, global or otherwise,” it said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTechnical Glitch Or Governance Failure: Who Is Accountable For Tourist Safety Disasters?Congress Eyes “Kerala Model” For Karnataka Cabinet Amid Siddaramaiah Exit Buzz“Some People Trying To Misuse CID”: Kunal Ghosh Questions Agency Visit To His HomeSupreme Court Pulls Up NTA Over NEET 2026 Leak | Centre Says PM Modi Supervising Reforms’No Need To Sing Vande Matram In…’ Pinarayi Vijayan Hits out at Centre, BJP After Row In Assembly₹1,000 Crore for Damage Control: The Real Cost of India’s Exam CrisisWhy Japan Banned Indian Mango Shipments, Alphonso & Kesar Exports Face Major Crisis?335 Detainees Held As Bengal Activates Holding Centres Under Detect Delete Deport PolicyCyprus Plans BrahMos Missile Purchase From India, Raising Security Concerns In TurkeySupreme Court Allows Vinesh Phogat To Participate In Asian Games Trials123PhotostoriesMorning affirmation at 5 am: What you say to yourself before sunrise may affect your mood all dayHow to make Mushroom Oats Omelette for summer breakfast5 Snakes that love British gardensBefore Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: 7 sports child wonderkids who changed historyMeghan Markle’s favourite summer fashion picks just got a massive price dropFrom ‘National Treasure’ to ‘Longlegs’: Top 5 Nicolas Cage movies you need to watch right nowPoha turns mushy and soggy? 4 common mistakes that people commit and easy fixes7 foods linked to healthy aging and longevityThis is where snakes hide in Australian homesWhy scientists are telling anemic women to drink this juice123Hot PicksSimone BilesVinesh PhogatMonsoon ForecastHenry Nowak murderFrancisco CerundoloDonald TrumpGold price predictionTop TrendingBenjamin NetanyahuD GukeshVaibhav sooryavanshi IPL auctionPunjab Local Body Election ResultCockroach Janta PartySupreme CourtNEET UG 2026 fee refundBSEB Bihar Sakashmta Pariksha Admit CardNTANEET Paper Leak
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has turned down plea for fresh investigation into the international acquisition and transfer of animals to Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) at Jamnagar in Gujarat, saying the apex court appointed SIT, headed by retired SC judge J Chelameswar, had already given a clean chit and found no violation of law.A bench of Justices P K Mishra and N V Anjaria said the SIT’s terms of reference were of the widest amplitude, covering every facet of the affairs of Vantara from inception, and nothing wrong was found.“Upon consideration, we are of the clear opinion that none of the directions prayed for can be granted,” the bench said while rejecting the plea.The court did not find merit in the allegation that materials have since emerged in inquiries, investigations or prosecutions in Brazil, the UAE, Uganda, Peru, Malaysia and Venezuela that could have bearing upon international acquisition and transfer of animals. SC said all the issues raised now stood addressed already by the SIT and there is no need for fresh examination.“The process adopted by the SIT was thorough. It held several meetings, conducted site inspections, afforded opportunity to all concerned to submit information and documents, examined the foreign donor zoos and entities,” the court said.SC said the SIT also “called for and considered the responses of CITES Management Authorities of, inter alia, UAE, Venezuela, Democratic Republic of the Congo, etc. and obtained information from all concerned, namely, CBI, ED, DRI, commissioner of customs at Jamnagar, WCCB and district police”. “Notice was issued to complainants, journalists and environmentalists who had published or raised allegations, including those whose reportage the applicant/petitioner now relies upon and each one who appeared before the SIT was heard,” it said.In view of the SIT report, accepted by this court by an order dated Sept 15, 2025, and affirmed by an order March 9, 2026, the respondent “cannot be investigated, inquired into, much less prosecuted, in respect of the transfers therein examined, no direction can be issued to any domestic authority in respect of the specimens so transferred, and the matter cannot be reopened at the instance of any body, global or otherwise,” it said.
