Vantara’s Legal Threat Fails: Court Sides with Himal Southasian’s Right to Publish Elephant Welfare Exposé

NEW DELHI — In a major victory for independent journalism, the Delhi High Court has dismissed a contempt petition filed by the Vantara Project against Himal South Asian magazine, which objected to an article that raised serious questions about the care and relocation of elephants under the Vantara Project.

The petition was filed by two organisations associated with Vantara — Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre Society and Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust — alleging that the magazine had violated an earlier court order by not removing the article. But Justice Anish Dayal clearly said that no such order was ever passed. Hence, the court dismissed the petition on May 19, 2025.For Himal, it was not just a matter of an article, but it was an issue of standing up against the attempt to suppress the voice of independent journalism.

Advocate Vrinda Grover, who appeared on behalf of the magazine, told the court, “There was an attempt to suppress the freedom of free expression in the name of contempt. But the court made it clear that everyone has the right to question such a powerful corporate project.”

The article that sparked the controversy was written by investigative journalist M. Rajashekhar. In it, questions were raised about the care of elephants, their purchase and many legal and ethical aspects. Vantara is a project that is usually shown as a safe haven, but much is unclear about its internal process.

Editor Roman Gautam said after the court's decision, "This decision is not just for Himal, but for every journalist who has the courage to expose the truth."

Now that the legal dispute is over, that article of Himal remains on the website - to remind that there is still a place for truth, even if it is disliked by the powerful people.