Yamuna floodplains: Supreme Court sets aside NGT order against Art of Living; directs DDA to refund ₹5 crore
The Supreme Court has overturned a 2017 NGT order that held the Art of Living Foundation responsible for environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplains. The court directed the DDA to refund the foundation's ₹5 crore deposit, noting that the site was already damaged before the event.
Why it matters
This ruling clarifies legal accountability for environmental damage and questions the regulatory oversight of the DDA regarding floodplain usage.
The Supreme Court on Saturday (August 22, 2026) set aside a December 2017 decision of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) holding Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation responsible for the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains during its World Culture Festival held in 2016 .
A Bench of Justices Satish Chandra Sharma and N.K. Singh directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund ₹5 crore deposited by the foundation with it in four weeks.
NGT holds Sri Sri’s Art of Living responsible for damage to Yamuna floodplains
The top court’s order came on an appeal filed by Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, associated with the Art of Living Foundation .
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