Supreme Court Art of Living Verdict: 18 Irregularities Cited In NGT Proceedings Hearings Chaired By Justice Sw

The Supreme Court’s judgment dated August 22, 2026, setting aside the National Green Tribunal’s judgment in the Art of Living’s World Culture Festival case brought renewed attention to the proceedings that followed the March 11-13, 2016 event.The proceedings before the NGT, chaired by then Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar, concerned allegations of environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplains arising from the World Culture Festival. The proceedings resulted in a series of orders, Committee reports and findings concerning the alleged damage, its quantification and the remedial measures to be undertaken. The NGT had held Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, associated with the Art of Living Foundation, liable for environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplains and ordered ₹5 crore environmental compensation.However, the Supreme Court, while setting aside the NGT’s order, found that the evidence on record did not establish a direct causal connection between the event and the alleged environmental damage and directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund the ₹5 crore compensation deposited by the appellants.Following the Supreme Court judgment, it is relevant to revisit the manner in which the proceedings before the NGT unfolded. The following 18 points set out the irregularities that, according to Art of Living, marked those proceedings:1. Though the matter commenced on 8th February 2016, it was dragged till the last date and an interim order was passed imposing a deposit of Rs.

Source: Original reporting via LawBeat