The Supreme Court on Saturday (August 22, 2026) set aside a 2017 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) holding Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation responsible for the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains due to its World Culture Festival in 2016.

A Bench of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice N.K. Singh directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund the ₹5 crore environmental compensation deposited by the foundation.

The Supreme Court's order came on an appeal filed by Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, associated with the Art of Living Foundation.

The Supreme Court also directed the DDA to continue the work towards the rehabilitation of the Yamuna floodplains as directed by the NGT.

Published - August 22, 2026 04:50 pm IST