Parmod KumarNew Delhi, Aug. 22 -- The Supreme Court on Saturday set aside a 2017 National Green Tribunal (NGT) judgment holding the Art of Living Foundation (AoL) responsible for damage to the Yamuna floodplains during its World Culture Festival in 2016 and directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund Rs 5 crore deposited by AoL as environmental compensation.
A bench comprising Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh allowed an appeal filed by Vyakti Vikas Kendra India (VVKI), the Indian organisation associated with the Art of Living Foundation founded by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
The Rs 5 crore amount was deposited pursuant to an interim order passed by the NGT in March 2016, shortly...