The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a  fine of Rs 500 crore on German automaker Volkswagen for installing ‘Cheat Devices’ in their cars  that were aimed at helping the company cheat in the emission tests. The penalty must be paid in two months time, the green panel said.

In November last year, the NGT had  lashed out at the  carmaker for not depositing Rs 100 crore in accordance  and on January 18, 2019, ordered the company to pay the fine within “24 hours”..

The green panel had said that use of ‘cheat device’ by Volkswagen leads to the inference of environmental damage and had directed the carmaker to deposit an interim amount of Rs 100 crore with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The tribunal also constituted a joint team of representatives of the CPCB, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. The committee recommended a fine of over Rs 171 crore on Volkswagen for causing air pollution in Delhi and causing health damages due to excess nitrogen oxide emissions.

—India Legal Bureau