In a major relief to the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-led Art of Living foundation, the Supreme Court on Saturday ordered a refund of the Rs 5 crore penalty paid by the spiritual organisation over a controversial 2016 event that was accused of causing damage to the ecologically sensitive Yamuna floodplains in Delhi.
The court held that there is no direct evidence that the cultural festival caused damage to the River Yamuna's fragile ecosystem. It ordered that the fine submitted by the Vyakti Vikas Kendra – a registered public charitable trust under the aegis of the Art of Living – be refunded by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
The penalty was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had held the Art of Living responsible in December 2017 for damaging the Yamuna floodplains during the preparations for the "World Culture Festival," which was held in March the previous year.
While granting relief to the Art of Living, the Supreme Court also observed that the DDA had failed in its duty to protect the Yamuna floodplains.
It also directed the urban planning and development body to continue the work towards the rehabilitation of the Yamuna floodplains as directed by the NGT.
The environmental panel had allowed the Art of Living to go ahead with its mega event on the banks of Yamuna, which was eventually held on March 11–13 in 2016, after it agreed to pay the fine in full.
On March 11, 2016, the opening day of the "World Culture Festival," the organisers had approached the NGT with a plea seeking four weeks' time for depositing the total amount.
The green tribunal had allowed the foundation to deposit Rs 25 lakh on that day and granted a three-week period to pay the remaining amount.
While the Rs 25 lakh was paid at the time, the Art of Living later asked that the Rs 4.75 crore, which they owed, be treated as a bank guarantee, instead of "payment of balance amount," and that the money be utilised towards establishing a biodiversity park in the area.
Though the penalty was eventually paid in full, the Art of Living later challenged the NGT's verdict before the Supreme Court and paved the way for a prolonged legal battle.
