SC orders refund of fine paid by Art of Living for damage to Yamuna floodplains

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.

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.

What Happened

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.

• 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.

• 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 ₹25 lakh on that day and granted a three-week period to pay the remaining amount.

Key Details

While the ₹25 lakh was paid at the time, the Art of Living later asked that the ₹4.75 crore, which they owed, be treated as a bank guarantee, instead of "payment of balance amount," and that the money be utilised.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge