New Delhi, Aug 2026 : The Supreme Court on Saturday granted relief to the Art of Living Foundation by setting aside a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order and directing the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund Rs 5 crore in environmental compensation collected from the organisation over alleged damage to the Yamuna floodplains.
A Bench comprising Justice S.C. Sharma and Justice N.K. Singh allowed the 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 case relates to the World Culture Festival, organised by the foundation from March 11 to 13, 2016, near the Yamuna riverbanks in Delhi. The event was held after the organisers obtained permission from the DDA, which owns the land.
Several temporary structures, including roads, ramps and other facilities, were constructed at the venue for the large-scale cultural event. Environmental concerns were subsequently raised over the impact of the construction and the event on the Yamuna floodplains.
The complaint before the NGT was filed by retired Indian Forest Service officer Manoj Mishra, who was also the convener of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan.
In December 2017, the NGT, relying on the findings of an expert committee, held the Art of Living Foundation responsible for causing damage to the river’s floodplain area.
The tribunal directed the DDA to confiscate the Rs 5 crore security deposit submitted by the foundation before the event. The amount was to be utilised for restoration work on the allegedly damaged floodplains.
The foundation subsequently challenged the NGT order before the Supreme Court through VVKI.
During the proceedings, the appellant argued that the site where the cultural festival was held had never been formally demarcated as a floodplain. It also contended that the environmental damage allegedly caused by the three-day event had not been scientifically established.
The foundation maintained that the event had been organised after obtaining the necessary permission from the DDA, the agency responsible for the land.
After considering the matter, the Supreme Court disagreed with the findings of the NGT and accepted the appeal filed by VVKI.
The apex court set aside the NGT's judgment and directed the DDA to return the Rs 5 crore security amount to the Art of Living Foundation.
The ruling brings an end to a legal dispute that had continued for several years over the environmental impact of the 2016 World Culture Festival and the liability of its organisers for restoration of the Yamuna floodplains.
