India’s Supreme Court on Monday, September 15, ruled that the Reliance-backed country’s sprawling wildlife rescue and breeding center, Vantara (formally established in 2024), not only complies with Indian and international laws but also exceeds global welfare standards in many respects.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, a copy of which was accessed by Newsweek, and according to its report, the Supreme Court said it had “no hesitation in accepting the conclusion” of a special investigation team examining Vantara’s animal acquisition, financing, and conservation practices.
According to reports, the Supreme Court said that after working with various agencies ranging from the Central Zoo Authority of India to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the team had reported “no violation of law whatsoever.”
“Once the imports of animals are fully documented and supported by valid permits,” the court document read, “it is not open for anyone to go beyond the said permits and to dispute the validity.” The ruling also warned against a cycle of petitions, repeatedly calling the allegations against Vantara “wholly unjustified and an abuse of the process.”
The court ruling noted that they were “more than satisfied” that Vantara’s facilities met standards for veterinary care and animal husbandry. According to Newsweek, they pointed to the center’s independent Global Humane Certified Seal of Approval, a certification awarded by GHS, an independent, third-party organization that tests animal welfare and conservation standards.
The court ruling was more than just a legal victory for officials at Vantara, an animal rescue, care, and rehabilitation project led by the younger son of India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. “This is not just about compliance—it’s about compassion,” Vantara CEO Vivaan Karani told Newsweek.
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