The Supreme Court of India sends investigators to a huge private animal collection

Investigators in India will visit a wide private zoo owned by the Ambani billionaire family, after the Supreme Court ordered to investigate the accusations that the animals were unacceptable and cruel.

The study will also study the possible violations of the Wildlife Laws in Vantara, as well as charges of financial violations and money laundering.

The Supreme Court said there was no evidence to support the allegations, but ordered the investigation as the authorities were accused of fulfilling their duties.

Vantar, run by Anant Ambani, the son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani – lives hundreds of elephants, tigers and other animals. He promised full cooperation with the request.

“Vantar still strives for transparency, compassion and complete implementation of the law. Our mission and attention remains the salvation, rehabilitation and care for animals,” the allegations said.

Having settled on 3,500 hectares and lives about 2000 species, Vantar stands for the world’s largest rehabilitation center. It was one of the places for the magnificent wedding events of Anant Ambani, which made global headlines last year.

The animal collection is located in Jamnari in the western state of Gujarat, near the Mukesha Ambani Oil Refinery, the world’s largest.

In March this year, Vantar was opened by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called these efforts “truly commendable”, sharing his gaze on X.

But it is closed to the public and has long been criticized by wildlife activists and environmentalists.

The Supreme Court ruled on issues of petitions for public interests, which, he said, had “unprepared” accusations.

But it is added: “Following the allegations that the statutory bodies either do not want or incapable of writing a mandate … We consider it necessary at the end of justice to call for an independent actual assessment.”

Vantara lives a wide variety of animals – including about 200 elephants, 300 large cats, such as leopards, tigers and lions, and more than 300 herbivores and 1200 reptiles, according to News18, which is part of the Reliance conglomerate.

Photos of Indian stars attending the shelter took the headlines last March when they attended the object as part of the celebration before the wedding of Ananta Ambani and Radchik. Celebrities, politicians and global business leaders took part in the event.

The shelter was in the center of angry protests in Maharashtra recently, after a sick elephant called Mahadevi, who kept Jain’s temple in Kolhapur for three decades, was migrated to Vantar in July after the Supreme Court’s order.

Following the criticism, Maharashta’s chief minister said the state government would file a petition in the Supreme Court to return Mahadev.

Activists also claim that the location of Vantara in Gujarat with his hot and dry climate, as well as its location near the giant refineries, was unfit for some species stored in the center.

During the hearings on Tuesday, the Supreme Court asked the Four -Company Board on a special investigation (Sit) of four retired judges to submit their report on Vantara by September 12.

In the investigation, it is said, it will focus on claims for illegal acquisition of animals – especially elephants – as well as violations of the wildlife laws, as well as accusations of financial violations and money laundering.

Sit will also consider complaints “about climatic conditions” and allegations that the facility is near the industrial zone.

Local media reports that Sit held the first meeting on Tuesday, which focused on the roles and responsibilities of its members.

The next court hearing is scheduled for September 15.

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