The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on March 7, 2019, slapped a cost of Rs 500 crore as damages on Volkswagen India.
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel was hearing a petition moved by a Delhi-based teacher Saloni Ailawadi when it imposed the fine on the automajor and directed it to deposit the sum with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) within two months.
The Bench imposed the fine on the company after finding it guilty of causing environmental damage and using cheat devices in its vehicles.
Learned Counsel Sanjeev Ailawadi, appearing for the petitioner contended that the Volkswagen violated the prescribed norms of diesel emission in India as it was exposed for installing "cheating devices" in diesel engines that could pass the pollution checks.
In January, the Tribunal had directed Volkswagen to deposit a sum of Rs 100 crore as interim compensation for failing to comply with its earlier orders.
