Not so 'cultural' about World Culture Festival: Over 70 cases of theft filed in 3 days

New Delhi: Besides facing criticism for flouting environmental norms, the World Culture Festival organised by renowned spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living (AoL) foundation also saw Delhi Police registering over 70 cases of theft during the three-day event.

According to reports, Delhi Police registered over 70 First Information Reports related to theft during the event that ended on Sunday.

According to the ''The Indian Express'', over 30 people, including four women, have been arrested in cases related to theft of cash, mobile phones, laptops and even a Ganesh idol.

The event was organised by the AoL to mark the foundation's 35th anniversary.

“We have nabbed several people who came from outside Delhi, and recovered a large number of stolen valuables from their possession,” Manpreet Singh Randhawa, DCP, Delhi Police was quoted as saying.

Most of those arrested are from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The Art of Living had courted a controversy for flouting environmental norms and causing damage to the fragile ecosystem of Yamina river and the alleged 'misuse' of the Army to build a pontoon bridge.

The National Green Tribunal slapped a fine of Rs 5 crore on the AoL for allegedly damaging a 1,000-acre area due to preparations for the 3-day festival, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders.