The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition requesting legal action against Reliance's large-scale zoo and a trust affiliated with the conglomerate for hosting Anant Ambani's wedding to Radhika Merchant at Reliance Greens in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Advocate Rahul Narula filed a petition with the High Court, requesting directives for the Animal Welfare Board of India to lodge a complaint against the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust and Greens Zoological, Rescue, and Rehabilitation Centre.

Advocate Rahul Narula expressed concern that the upcoming wedding-related activities planned for March could potentially harm the animals in the vicinity. A bench comprising Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Girish Kathpalia noted that the petition couldn't be entertained as it relied solely on apprehensions.

However, the Court suggested that the High Powered Committee (HPC), tasked with investigating complaints related to animal organizations, could attend the event venue to monitor proceedings. The HPC would be responsible for implementing necessary precautions to prevent any mistreatment of animals during the event.

In his petition, Narula highlighted that he had come across a newspaper article in January regarding the upcoming wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. According to both the report and the wedding invitation card, the pre-wedding and wedding celebrations are scheduled for March, with Reliance Greens in Jamnagar, Gujarat, specified as the venue.

Narula asserted that Reliance exercises direct control over both the zoo and the trust since they are situated on Reliance-owned property. Additionally, he argued that the wedding invitation serves as evidence that functions, parties, events, or performances are indeed planned to take place at the location. Furthermore, Narula challenged Section 23 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, arguing that this provision unjustly restricts his right to file a criminal complaint regarding the issue at hand.

Meanwhile, the counsel representing Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust and Greens Zoological, Rescue, and Rehabilitation Centre contended that the petition lacked merit, branding it as frivolous and motivated by ulterior motives. The argument put forth was that the petition relied on baseless apprehensions, particularly concerning the potential use of animals in a private event. The Court was informed that the Reliance Complex in Jamnagar spans 7,500 acres, incorporating a substantial 3,059-acre green belt, and is currently categorized as private property, albeit accessible for public events.

It was clarified that the wedding event taking place in various locations within the complex is a one-time, private, personal, and non-commercial affair. Furthermore, there is no legal provision that prohibits the zoo or the trust from extending invitations to guests to visit their facilities, particularly for non-commercial purposes.

After thorough consideration of the case, the Court concluded that there were no sufficient grounds to issue any directives. Advocate Pritam Biswas appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while Advocates Shardul Singh, Devika Mohan, Ahish Shahpurkar, and Anjali Tiwari represented Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust and Greens Zoological, Rescue, and Rehabilitation Centre.