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The Supreme Court has rejected a public interest litigation that claimed violations of international wildlife trade regulations concerning animal imports by Vantara, a wildlife rescue center operated by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and NV Anjaria noted that similar allegations had been previously investigated and dismissed in September, following a court-appointed inquiry that found no wrongdoing.

The petition, filed by the Karanartham Viramah Foundation under Article 32 of the Constitution, aimed to enforce fundamental rights but was quashed by the court.

This petition referenced a document from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, alleging irregularities in wildlife imports by two trusts associated with Vantara: the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust.

In November, the convention published a document expressing concerns about animal transfers to Vantara, indicating that India had not conducted adequate due diligence when issuing import permits for various species, including a mountain gorilla from Haiti, chimpanzees from Congo, and an orangutan.

However, during a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in Uzbekistan, this recommendation was later overturned. Several nations, including India, the United States, Japan, and Brazil, argued that the measure was premature and lacked evidence of illegal imports into India.

The recent plea sought the disclosure of import and export licenses and permits issued under the convention, as well as the establishment of an independent body to ensure compliance with its regulations.

Additionally, the petition called for proceedings under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the creation of a standard operating procedure for permit verification, and a temporary ban on specific species imports by private entities.

The court noted that the issue had already been reviewed in September by a special investigation team tasked with examining Vantara's animal acquisition practices.

This team was formed by the court in August to determine whether Vantara adhered to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and relevant zoo regulations regarding the acquisition of animals, particularly elephants.

The investigation was initiated amid controversy surrounding the transfer of a sick elephant from a temple in Kolhapur to Vantara in July. The team, led by retired Justice J Chelameswar, submitted its findings to the court in September, concluding that Vantara complied with regulatory measures.

In light of these findings, the bench stated that once imports are conducted with valid permissions, they cannot be deemed illegal simply due to subsequent objections.

“Crucially, disturbing the established environment and care of living animals, including those rescued after lawful import, may itself lead to cruelty,” the court remarked.