NGT Slaps Rs 500Cr Fine On Volkswagen For Cheating Emission Tests

The National Green Tribunal on Thursday slapped a cost of Rs 500 crore as damages on German automobile major Volkswagen while holding it guilty of causing environmental damage and using cheat devices in its vehicles.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice A K Goel slapped a fine of Rs 500 on the company.

The bench passed the order on a petition moved by a Delhi-based teacher Saloni Ailawadi.

Ailawadi had moved the Tribunal after she discovered that her father was suffering from cancer which was at stage four.

Her counsel Sanjeev Ailawadi had contended that diesel emission is one of the known sources of cancer in humans and Volkswagen had been openly violating the prescribed norms in India and elsewhere as it was exposed for installing "cheating devices" in diesel engines that could pass the pollution checks but cause higher emission of nitrogen compounds on road.

"The NGT has imposed a fine of Rs 500 crore on Volkswagen holding it guilty of causing environmental damage and using cheat devices. The money has to be deposited within two months," said Sanjeev Ailawadi.