New Delhi, Read. The Supreme Court has given an important decision on the nearly decade-long dispute regarding the World Culture Festival organized by Art of Living in 2016. The apex court has also quashed the earlier order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and quashed all consequential interim proceedings related thereto.
The important aspect of the Supreme Court's decision is that on the basis of evidence available on record, the court held that the World Culture Festival organized by Art of Living does not prove the allegation of causing environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplain. After this decision, the long-running environmental dispute regarding the event is considered to be over.
Instructions to return the amount of ₹5 crore also
The Supreme Court has directed to return the amount of ₹ 5 crore deposited by Art of Living. The organization said that this amount was publicized as 'fine' for a long time, which affected its reputation.
More than 155 countries took part
The 2016 World Culture Festival was among the major international events. People from more than 155 countries participated in it and about 35 lakh people were directly involved in the event. The event was presided over by former Chief Justice of India Justice R.C. Lahoti did it. The late Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations, was also scheduled to co-chair the event, but he died about a month before the event.
Art of Living welcomed the decision
After the Supreme Court's decision, the official spokesperson of Art of Living said that the baseless allegations made against the organization have now been completely exposed. The spokesperson said that the organization has been working for environmental protection and promotion of nature for a long time.
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