Vast private zoo run by son of India's richest man faces inquiry

Investigators in India will visit a vast private zoo owned by the billionaire Ambani family, after the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into allegations that animals were acquired unlawfully and mistreated.

The inquiry will also examine possible violations of wildlife laws at Vantara, as well as allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering.

The Supreme Court said there was no proof to support the allegations but ordered an inquiry because authorities had been accused of failing in their duties.

Vantara, run by Anant Ambani - son of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani - is home to hundreds of elephants, tigers and other animals. It has promised full co-operation with the inquiry.

"Vantara remains committed to transparency, compassion and full compliance with the law. Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals," it said, without directly commenting on the allegations.

Spread over 3,500 acres and home to some 2,000 species, Vantara bills itself as the world's largest wildlife rehabilitation centre. It was one of the venues for Anant Ambani's lavish pre-wedding events that made global headlines last year.

The animal collection is located in Jamnagar in the western state of Gujarat, not far from Mukesh Ambani's oil refinery - the largest in the world.

Vantara was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year, who called the effort "truly commendable", while sharing glimpses of his visit on X.

But it is closed to the public and has long drawn criticism from wildlife activists and conservationists.

The Supreme Court was ruling on public interest petitions which it said contained "unsupported" allegations.

But it added: "In the wake of the allegations that the statutory authorities or the courts are either unwilling or incapable of discharging their mandate... we consider it appropriate in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal."

Vantara is home to a wide variety of animals - including about 200 elephants, 300 big cats such as leopards, tigers, and lions, and more than 300 herbivores 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 headlines in March last year, when they toured the facility as part of the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The event was attended by celebrities, politicians and global business leaders.

The shelter has been at the centre of angry protests in the state of Maharashtra recently, after an ailing elephant called Mahadevi, kept at a Jain temple in Kolhapur town for three decades, was relocated to Vantara in July, after a high court order.

Following the criticism, Maharashtra's chief minister said the state government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court to bring Mahadevi back.

Activists have also claimed that Vantara's location in Gujarat state, with its hot and dry climate, as well as its location next to a giant oil refinery, was unsuitable for some of the species kept at the centre.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court asked the four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) panel of four retired judges to submit its report on Vantara by 12 September.

The investigation, it said, would focus on claims of illegal animal acquisition - especially of elephants - as well as violations of wildlife laws, and allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering.

The SIT will also look into complaints "regarding climatic conditions" and allegations of the facility being located near an industrial zone.

Local media have reported that the SIT held its first meeting on Tuesday, which was focused on assigning roles and responsibilities to its members.

The next court hearing is scheduled for 15 September.

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