From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:32 PM IST

The Supreme Court Thursday absolved Bollywood fight director Veeru Devgan, the father of actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgan, of charges of damaging the environment during shooting of a film in the hill resort of Ooty in Tamil Nadu and ordered the state government to return Rs.5 million fine imposed on him.

A bench of Justice C.K. Thakkar and Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta ordered the state government to return the money to Devgan on his plea challenging the Madras High Court ruling imposing a fine for allegedly damaging the environment. The apex court ruled that the high court verdict was 'arbitrary and illegal'.

The state government had alleged that in 2003 during shooting of Devgun's film 'Raju Chacha', starring Ajay Devgan and actress Kajol, a picnic spot in Ooty had suffered heavy damage.

Devgan moved the Madras High Court challenging the government's order, but the high court ruled in favour of the state and ordered him to deposit the fine.

Devgan gave the fine to the state government, but moved the apex court challenging the high court ruling, which was reversed Thursday.

The apex court asked the state government to refund the money to Devgan.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)