SC denies fresh investigation in Vantara cattle transfer case. india news

Supreme Court refuses fresh investigation in Vantara cattle transfer case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has rejected a plea seeking a fresh probe into the international acquisition and transfer of animals at Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, saying the apex court-appointed SIT headed by retired SC judge J Chelameswar has already given a clean chit and found no violation of law.A bench of Justices PK Mishra and NV Anjaria said the terms of reference of the SIT were of wide dimension, covering every aspect of Vantara’s cases right from the beginning and nothing wrong was found.Dismissing the petition, the bench said, “On consideration, we are of the clear opinion that none of the directions prayed for can be granted.”The Court found no substance in allegations that inquiries, investigations or prosecutions in Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Peru, Malaysia and Venezuela had uncovered material that could have a bearing on the international acquisition and transfer of animals. The Supreme Court said that now all the issues raised have already been addressed by the SIT and there is no need for a fresh investigation.“The process adopted by the SIT was thorough. It held several meetings, conducted site inspections, gave opportunity to all concerned to submit information and documents, examined foreign donor zoos and institutions,” the court said.The Supreme Court said the SIT “inter alia called for and considered the responses of the CITES management authorities of UAE, Venezuela, Democratic Republic of Congo etc. and obtained information from all concerned, namely, CBI, ED, DRI, Customs Commissioner at Jamnagar, WCCB and the District Police.” “Notices were issued to the complainants, journalists and environmentalists who had published or made allegations, including those on whose reports the applicant/petitioner now relies and each person who appeared before the SIT was heard,” it said.In view of the SIT report, accepted by this Court by an order dated 15th September, 2025 and confirmed by an order dated 9th March, 2026, the respondent “cannot be investigated, interrogated, much less prosecuted in respect of the transfers investigated therein, no direction can be issued to any domestic authority in respect of the samples so transferred, and the matter cannot be referred to any body, global or otherwise.” But cannot be reopened,” it said.

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