Supreme Court orders refund of fine paid by Art of Living for Yamuna floodplains damage

The Supreme Court on Saturday set aside a 2017 National Green Tribunal order that held the Art of Living foundation responsible for damaging the Yamuna floodplains during its three-day event in 2016, Bar and Bench reported. The court also directed the Delhi Development Authority to refund the Rs 5 crore fine that the foundation had paid in 2016 for restoration work.

A bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and NK Singh passed the order on an appeal filed by Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, an organisation associated with the Art of Living Foundation led by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The foundation had held the World Culture Festival in Delhi in March 2016 to mark 35 years since it was founded. Environmentalists and non-governmental organisations had protested against the event being held on the floodplains of the Yamuna, saying that it would irreparably damage the ecologically-sensitive zone.

Before the event was held, a scientific panel of the National Green Tribunal took note of the concerns and recommended a penalty of Rs 120 crore on the Art of Living Foundation. Two days before the event, the tribunal allowed the foundation to go ahead with the celebrations, but fined it Rs 5 crore.

The National Green Tribunal’s final judgement in December 2017 held the Art of Living Foundation responsible...

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