The best court in India sends investigators in a huge collection of private animals

Investigators in India will visit a huge private zoo owned by a billionaire Ambani family after the Supreme Court has ordered an investigation into allegations that the animals were acquired illegally and abused.

The investigation will also look at the possible violations of wildlife laws in Vantara, as well as allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering.

The Supreme Court said there was no evidence in support of the charges, but ordered an investigation as the authorities were accused of failure to failure in their obligations.

Vantara, run by Anant Ambani – the son of Asia’s most rich man Mukesh Ambani – is home to hundreds of elephants, tigers and other animals. He promised full cooperation with the investigation.

“Vantara remains engaged in transparency, compassion and complete observance of the law. Our mission and focus continue to be rescue, rehabilitation and animal care,” said the allegations without directly commenting on.

Distributed to 3500 acres and a home of about 2000 species, the vantara is mixed as the largest world center for wildlife rehabilitation. It was one of the places for Anant Ambani’s lavish events before the wedding, which made global titles last year.

The animal collection is located in Janagar in the western state of Gujarat, not far from the Mukes Ambani oil refinery – the largest in the world.

Vantara was discovered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year, who called the efforts “really commendable” as he shared a look at her visit to X.

But it has been closed to the public and has long extracted criticism from activists and conservationists of the wild.

The Supreme Court was issued in petitions of public interest, which, in his opinion, contain “unsupported” charges.

But she added: “As a result of the allegations that the legal authorities or courts are either not willing or are unable to fulfill their mandate … We consider it appropriate at the ends of justice to call for an independent factual assessment.”

Vantara is home to a wide variety of animals – including about 200 elephants, 300 large cats such as leopards, tigers and lions, and more than 300 grazing and 1,200 reptiles, according to the News18 website, part of the Reliance conglomerate owned by the Ambani family.

Photos of Indian film stars visiting the shelter made titles last March when they toured the facility as part of the celebrations before the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The event was attended by celebrities, politicians and world business leaders.

The shelter is at the center of angry protests in Maharashtra recently, after a sick elephant called Mahadevi, held at the Jain Temple in Kolhapur for three decades, has been moved to Vantara in July, after a supreme court.

Following the criticism, Maharash’s Chief Minister said the government of the state would submit a petition for a review to the Supreme Court to return Mahadevi.

Activists also claim that the location of the Vantara in Gujarat, with its hot and dry climate, as well as its location to a giant oil refinery, was inappropriate for some of the species stored in the center.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court asked the four -member special investigative team (SIT) from four retired judges to submit their Vantara report by September 12.

According to him, the investigation will focus on the claims for the illegal acquisition of animals – especially elephants – as well as on violations of wildlife laws and accusations of financial irregularities and money laundering.

SIT will also look at the complaints of the climate conditions and the allegations of the facility located near an industrial zone.

Local media reported that SIT was holding its first meeting on Tuesday, which focused on the awarding of roles and responsibilities to its members.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 15.

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