Supreme Court orders Rs 5 crore refund to 'Art Of Living' after setting aside NGT liability

The Supreme Court sets aside the NGT's liability finding and directs a refund of the environmental compensation paid.

Who it concerns: Appellant: Vyakti Vikas Kendra India (also known as Art of Living International Centre); Respondents: Manoj Misra (deceased) and others; Bench: Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.

What the court decided

• The Supreme Court sets aside the NGT order dated 07.12.2017 which held the appellant liable for damage to the Yamuna riverplain.
• The Court directs the refund of Rs 5 Crores to the appellant.
• The Court notes that the NGT had previously permitted the event subject to the payment of this Rs 5 Crore environmental compensation.

Also in the document

• The NGT had initially estimated restoration costs between Rs 100-120 crores in an interim report, but the Supreme Court's final order focuses on the refund of the Rs 5 Crore interim compensation.
• The NGT had applied the principle of 'no-fault liability' under Section 17(3) of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, which the Supreme Court effectively overruled by setting aside the liability order.