The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday issued a notice to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of living (Aol), for his alleged remarks that the fine imposed by the green panel was “politically motivated”.
The green Bench headed by Swatanter Kumar, questioned the spiritual guru as to why should not contempt of court proceedings be initiated against him and has directed him to file a reply to it latest by May 25.
This was in the context, of an interview given by him, stating that the fine imposed by the tribunal on the Aol foundation was politically motivated.
The Aol however issued a clarification over the NGT notice on the same day, saying the allegations against the spiritual leader were “completely false” and based merely on “newspaper reports”, which the tribunal ought not to have entertained.
The Art of living added that it would respond to NGT’s notice on delay in payment and warned the complainant/ petitioner of strict action, if allegations are found without credible basis.
Meanwhile, the NGT on March 9, while allowing the three-day World Cultural Festival on the flood plains of the Yamuna River, had imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore as environmental compensation. Out of this only 25 lakh has so far been paid by Aol prior to the commencement of the festival, and the payment of remaining amount is still pending.