The Supreme Court of India, while listening to one of the petitions signed by the objector, said that they are satisfied that the facility is in compliance with all laws and regulations with regard to the acquisition and treatment of animals.
PM Modi and Anant Ambani at Vanatara. Pic/File pic
With talks around the irregularities happening at ‘Vantara’, the Supreme Court on Monday slammed objectors and said that they will not permit any party to raise unnecessary objections against Vantara. Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre. The apex court, while listening to one of the petitions signed by the objector, said that they are satisfied that the facility is in compliance with all laws and regulations with regard to the acquisition and treatment of animals.
As reported by news agency ANI, a bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale said that, "There are certain things in India that we take pride in, and we should not unnecessarily raise hue and cry for everything."
The Supreme Court also remarked that, "Allow certain good things to happen in the country also. We should be happy about such things,” as cited by news agency ANI.
The courts' oral observations came on a hearing over a plea filed by one C.R. Jaya Sukin, who alleged that animals are being smuggled and mistreated in Vantara.
Earlier on August 25, the Court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar to conduct an inquiry into the affairs of Vantara.
Following the inquiry, the special investigation team (SIT) submitted its report to the Supreme Court on Friday.
During the hearing at the Supreme Court on Monday, the bench expressed its satisfaction over the inquiry conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The Court stated that it will pass its order on the issue after considering the findings of the sealed report. The apex court also added that it will direct the government authorities to take suggestions or recommendations, if any, with regard to improving the functioning of Vantara.
While clarifying that once it's satisfied that Vantara has been found to be in compliance with all the laws with regard to the safety of animals, the Supreme Court of India will not permit any party to raise unnecessary objections against the rescue centre.
The court, while slamming the objectors, said that, "Now we have a report of an independent committee. We will go by that. They have also taken help from experts. All authorities will be free to take suggestions on any recommendations made by the committee. We will not permit anyone to raise objections again and again," as cited by news agency ANI.
Additionally, during the hearing, the petitioner C.R. Jaya Sukin raised certain objections against Vantara, stating that elephants are being moved to the facility from temples.
However, the Court was not pleased by such objections and was of the view that when animals are acquired and kept safely in certain establishments which are in compliance with all laws in that regard, then why should that be an issue? It added that, otherwise, when such animals are left uncared for, they are generally tortured and misused for commercial purposes.
Justice Mithal, while questioning about the allegations put on Vantara, said, "How do you say that the elephant that has been moved from the temple is not being cared for by Vantara? Otherwise animals are tortured. In temples they misuse them.... If the allegation against moving elephants is in compliance with the law, then what's the issue? If somebody wants to acquire an elephant and is willing to comply with all the laws, then how is it a problem? Otherwise people use it (animals) for commercial purposes. They use it for Dussehra. In Mysore they do it every year," as per ANI.
Furthermore, the Solicitor General of India (SGI) stated the government's satisfaction over the findings of the SIT report and appreciated the prompt manner in which the inquiry was conducted by the special team.
On the other hand, Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Vantara, requested that the sealed report be kept classified, as the facility wants to keep "commercial confidentiality" on its affairs.
(With inputs from ANI)
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