BIG worry for Mukesh Ambani as SC launches SIT probe into Anant Ambani’s Vantara

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The SIT probe into Anant Ambani’s Vantara stems from accusations made in two PILs that were filed following the controversy over the transfer of a female elephant to the facility from a Kolhapur temple in July. 

Published: September 7, 2025 7:06 PM IST

Two PILs have been filed against Anant Ambani’s Vantara (File)

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Supreme Court has begun its probe into the allegations against Vantara, a Jamnagar-based private wildlife sanctuary run by Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. According to media reports, the SIT, which is headed by former judge Justice J. Chelameswar, visited Vantara on Thursday to begin its three-day investigation in the facility’s operations.

What are the allegations against Vantara?

The SIT probe into Anant Ambani’s Vantara stems from accusations made in two PILs that were filed following the controversy over the transfer of a female elephant to the facility from a Kolhapur temple in July.  The petitions have raised a plethora of complaints against Vantara, based on news reports, articles, social media posts and complaints from various animal rights bodies.

The allegations include weather and environmental conditions at the facility, breeding and conservation programmes, use of biodiversity resources, misuse of water and carbon credits, violation of various laws, illicit animal trade, and wildlife trafficking. The SIT will also investigate whether Vantara is located too close to industrial zones.

What did Supreme Court say?

The Supreme Court has stated that the SIT is only meant for a fact-finding purpose, and will submit its report to the bench, based on which it will give its orders in the case. The apex court also stressed that its SIT order is neither its opinion on the allegations against Vantara, nor should it should be understood that any doubt has been raised on the functioning of any statutory body or private entity.

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Further, the court noted that the petitions against Vantara are entirely based on newspaper reports, social media posts and separate complaints from NGOs and wildlife organisations, making up a wide-range of allegations against the Reliance Foundation run facility, including illegal purchase of animals, abuse of animals in captivity, financial irregularities and money laundering, etc.

The court also said that both these petitions are entirely based on newspaper reports, social media posts and separate complaints from NGOs and wildlife organisations. These make a wide range of allegations – such as illegal purchase of animals from India and abroad, abuse of animals in captivity, financial irregularities and money laundering, etc.

Who is in the SIT?

The SIT tasked with investigating Anant Ambani-run Vantara is headed by Justice Chelameswar, and also includes Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Court Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale and Additional Commissioner of Customs Anish Gupta.

The SIT was constituted following an August 28 order by a two-judge Supreme Court bench of Justice Pankaj Mittal and Justice PB Varale, who heard two PILs filed against the Vantara facility.

The apex court has directed the SIT submit a report into the allegations against Vantara, including non-compliance with Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and the illegal sale and purchase of animals, especially elephants. The SIT will submit its report by September 12.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A Supreme Court-constituted SIT has begun its probe into Anant Ambani’s Vantara facility.
• The SIT was constituted following an August 28 order by a two-judge Supreme Court bench.
• Multiple allegations were made against Vantara in two PILs filed against the facility.
• The Vantara facility is overseen by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Foundation.

Additionally, the SIT will also investigate whether Vantara has followed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and import-export laws.

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