India’s top court sends investigators in to vast private animal collection

Investigators in India will visit a wide, special zoo owned by the billionaire Ambani family, after the Supreme Court has ordered the investigation of allegations that animals have been obtained illegally and mistreatment.

The investigation will also examine possible violations of the laws of wildlife in Pantara, as well as allegations of financial violations and money laundering.

The Supreme Court said that there is no evidence of supporting these allegations, but he ordered the investigation because the authorities have been accused of failure in their duties.

Vantara, run by Annant Ambani – the son of the richest man in Asia Mokish Ambani – is home to hundreds of elephants, tigers and other animals. I promised full cooperation with the investigation.

She said, “Fantara is still committed to transparency, mercy and complete compliance with the law. Our mission and our focus remains rescue and the rehabilitation and care of animals.”

It extends over 3,500 acres and a homeland for about 2000 species, as Vantara tops itself the largest wildlife rehabilitation center in the world. It was one of the places of Annant Ambani’s luxurious events before marriage, which topped the headlines of international newspapers last year.

The animal group is located in the Jamnagar in West Gujarat, not far from the oil refinery in Mukesh Ambani – the largest in the world.

Pantara was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year, which was “really worth praise”, with glimpses of his visit to X.

But it is closed to the audience, and it has long attracted criticism from wildlife activists and conservative specialists.

The Supreme Court was governing the public interests that it said contained “unbroken” allegations.

But he added: “In the wake of allegations that legal authorities or courts are either unwilling or unable to empty their mandate … We consider them appropriate at the end of justice to call for an independent realistic evaluation.”

Vantara is home to a wide range of animals – including about 200 villas, 300 large cats such as leopards, tigers and black, and more than 300 herback animals and 1,200 reptiles, according to the news18 website, part of the accreditation group owned by the Ambani family.

Pictures of Indian movie stars who visited the shelter in March of last year, when they toured the facility as part of the pre -marriage celebrations of Annant Ambani and Radika, a merchant. The event was attended by celebrities, politicians and international business leaders.

The shelter was at the angry protests center in Maharashtra, after a sick elephant named Mahadevi, at the Jain Temple in Kolhapur for three decades, was transferred to Vantara in July, after an order from the Supreme Court.

After criticism, the Prime Minister of Maharashtra said that the state government will provide a petition in the Supreme Court to return my goal.

Activists also claimed that the site of Pantara in Gojarat, with its hot and dry climate, as well as its location next to the giant oil refinery, was not suitable for some species preserved in the center.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court requested a special investigation committee of four (SIT) members of four retired judges to submit its report on Vantara by September 12.

He said that the investigation will focus on the claims to acquire illegal animals – especially elephants – as well as violations of the laws of wildlife, claims of financial violations and money laundering.

SIT will also discuss complaints “regarding climatic conditions” and the allegations of the facility near an industrial zone.

Local media reported that SIT was held on Tuesday, which focused on appointing roles and responsibilities for its members.

The next court session is scheduled for September 15.

Follow BBC News India Instagramand YouTube, twitter and Facebook.