Supreme Court Sets Aside NGT Order Holding 'Art Of Living' Liable For Yamuna Riverplain Damage; Directs Rs 5 Crore Refund
The Supreme Court of India set aside an NGT order that held the Art of Living Foundation liable for environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplains during a 2016 festival. The court ordered a refund of the 5 crore rupee fine, citing a lack of direct evidence regarding ecological harm.
Why it matters
This ruling sets a significant legal precedent regarding environmental accountability and the burden of proof required for environmental compensation in India.
The Supreme Court today(August 22) set aside an order of the National Green Tribunal, which directed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living International Centre to pay Rs. 5 crore for the damage caused to the river Yamuna floodplains due to its World Culture Festival organised by Vyakti Vikas Kendra in March 2016.A bench comprising Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice NK Singh, allowed the appeal filed by Vyakti Vikas Kendra, an entity running the Art of Living International Centre, against the order passed by NGT in December 2017.
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