New Delhi: In a major relief to the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-led Art of Living foundation, the Supreme Court on Saturday ordered the refund of the Rs 5 crore
penalty paid over a cultural event held on the Yamuna floodplains in Delhi in 2016. The court said there was no direct evidence to establish that the event had damaged the fragile ecosystem of the River Yamuna. It directed the Delhi Development Authority to return the amount deposited by Vyakti Vikas Kendra, a registered public charitable trust under the aegis of the Art of Living.
NGT had imposed penalty
The National Green Tribunal had imposed the penalty in December 2017. It held the Art of Living responsible for environmental damage caused during preparations for the “World Culture Festival.”The large-scale event took place on the banks of the Yamuna from March 11 to 13, 2016. The NGT had allowed the organisation to hold the festival after it agreed to deposit the full penalty.
On March 11, 2016, the opening day of the “World Culture Festival,” the organisers approached the tribunal and sought four weeks to deposit the entire amount. The NGT allowed the foundation to pay Rs 25 lakh on that day. It gave the organisation another three weeks to deposit the remaining Rs 4.75 crore.
Foundation sought bank guarantee
After paying Rs 25 lakh, the Art of Living asked the tribunal to treat the remaining Rs 4.75 crore as a bank guarantee instead of the “payment of balance amount.” The organisation also proposed that the money should be used to establish a biodiversity park in the area. It eventually deposited the full penalty but challenged the NGT’s ruling before the Supreme Court. The appeal led to a prolonged legal battle.
DDA faulted by court
While granting relief to the Art of Living, the Supreme Court found fault with the DDA for failing to perform its duty to protect the Yamuna floodplains. The court directed the urban planning and development authority to continue the rehabilitation of the floodplains in line with the NGT’s directions. The ruling places the responsibility for the restoration work on the DDA while clearing the Art of Living of liability in the absence of direct evidence
