The National Green Tribunal has issued a contempt notice to spiritual figure Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for blaming government and green panel for damaging Yamuna floodplains.
The plea filed by Yamuna activist Manoj Misra had sought action against Ravi Shankar and said the statement made by the Art of Living (AOL) founder interfered with free and fair dispensation of justice.
In the statement published on AOL's website, Ravi Shankar had blamed the government and the NGT for permitting AOL and said his foundation had obtained all necessary permissions, including from the green panel, and the event could have been stopped in the beginning itself if the river was so "fragile and pure".
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“If, at all, any fine has to be levied, it should be levied on the Central and State Governments and the NGT, itself, for giving the permission," it said in a statement.
The NGT had earlier termed as "shocking" the charge levelled by Ravi Shankar and the AOL.
“You have no sense of responsibility. Do you think you have the liberty to say whatever and wherever you want?” said the NGT bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar.
An expert committee had told the NGT that a whopping Rs 42.02 crore would be required to restore Yamuna floodplains which was ravaged due to the cultural extravaganza last year.
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A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to Ravi Shankar while seeking his reply before May 9, the next date of hearing.
