Rahat Ali Khan, two others released

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 15: Celebrated Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and two members of his troupe, who were detained by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at the Delhi Airport on Sunday for allegedly carrying $1.24 lakh in undeclared cash, were released on Monday evening after questioning.

 

While their passports have been withheld, the DRI has asked them to appear for further questioning on Thursday.

Mr. Khan and 16 members of his troupe were on their way to Lahore through Dubai, when he, along with his manager Maroof and event manager Chitresh Shrivastava, was intercepted by DRI officials on a tip-off that they were carrying huge sums of cash.

While $24,000 was allegedly found in Mr. Khan’s baggage, the others were found carrying $50,000, much above the permitted limit of $5,000 in cash and the like amount in other instruments.

The traveller has to declare the amount to the Customs Department if he/she is carrying more than the permitted limit.

After preliminary questioning at the airport, Mr. Khan and the other two were taken to the DRI office where they were quizzed for several hours about the source of the money.

While the questioning continued till Monday evening, it is learnt that searches were also conducted in Mumbai in this connection.

After being released, Mr. Khan reportedly checked into a hotel where a team of officials from the Pakistan High Commission here are expected to meet him.

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan arrested, to be produced in court

New Delhi, Feb 14: Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was arrested by India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Monday, a day after he was detained at the international airport here for carrying undisclosed foreign currency worth more than $100,000, an official said.

"He has been arrested and will be produced in Patiala House court later today (Monday)," a DRI official told IANS. Rahat had been taken to the DRI office at the CGO Complex Sunday after he was detained at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Sunday.

He was on his way back to Pakistan after attending concerts and award functions in India. More than $100,000 were recovered from the 15-member troupe. Any amount in excess of $10,000 has to be declared by a traveller to the customs.
According to officials, Rahat was questioned by senior DRI officials till late last night. Rahat is the nephew of legendary singer late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and is popular both in India and Pakistan. His numerous hit songs from Indian films are a rage on both sides of the border, for which he has won several awards, including the recent Filmfare award for "Dil to Bacha Hai Jee". He was also a judge on the Indian music reality show "Chhote Ustad".

Pakistan has begun frantic efforts to secure the release of the singer. Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Sharat Sabharwal and discussed the matter around midnight Sunday. He requested the Indian envoy to ensure that "no official should misbehave with Rahat during interrogation".