NEW DELHI: A day after the Supreme Court while admitting the report of the special investigation team (SIT) against Reliance-owned Vantara, a zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has found no statutory irregularities in the acquisition of animals, the Congress hit back saying if only all cases are dealt with and settled so expeditiously and categorically—of course without this mysterious “sealed cover” business.
Congress General Secretary and communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said, “When it chooses to, the Indian judicial system, that is defined by long delays, moves with the greatest of speed.”
He said that on August 25, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the affairs of Vantara, the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center established by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar.
“The SIT, comprising of four distinguished members, was directed to submit its report by September 12, 2025. The SIT submitted its report in a ‘sealed cover’ and on September 15, 2025, the Supreme Court accepted its recommendations and closed the case which had been triggered by a public interest litigation filed on Aug 7, 2025.”
“If only all cases are dealt with and settled so expeditiously and categorically—of course without this mysterious “sealed cover” business,” Ramesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP and former union environment minister said.
The remarks came a day after the SIT, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice J. Chelameswar, concluded that the acquisitions were in accordance with regulatory laws and recorded the satisfaction of authorities on all statutory compliance.
A Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale noted that the SIT had undertaken a “thorough and extensive investigation” into the complaints and said it had “no hesitation in accepting the conclusion so drawn in the report”.
