New Delhi: Pakistani sufi singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and four others were questioned by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials for allegedly carrying USD 1.24 lakh (about Rs 60 lakh) of undeclared foreign currency.
DRI sources said besides Rahat, his manager Maroof, owner of an event management company Chitresh Shrivastava, and twoemployees of Mumbai-based Foreign Exchange firm were beinginterrogated at length about the source of the money and theirstatement were being recorded by the officials.
They said there were possible evidence of registering a case under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) against 37-year-old Khan and two of his associates.
However, sources did not immediately confirm the future course of action as the questioning was continuing late evening.
The trio were detained on February 13 from Indira Gandhi International Airport here while they were on their way to Lahore via Dubai with their 16-member troupe.
Soon after their detention, searches were conducted simultaneously on the premises of "Eyeline Telefilm and Events" in Mumbai, owned by Chitresh, elder brother of bollywood singer Aadesh Shrivastava.
Sources privy to the investigations claimed that the sleuths found Rs 51 lakh in cash which was seized besides some documents.
Khan's detention had activated Pakistani diplomatic channels as High Commission officials in New Delhi tried to get a Consular access to him, sources said.
Khan was questioned by DRI officials on February 14 and asked to appear before them.
As per norms, no one can carry beyond US$ 5,000 in cash and US$ 5,000 in other instruments. The person has to declare the amount if he is carrying more than this to the Customs Department.
Meanwhile, authorities here have extended singer's visa to 10 more days after its expiry on February 14, sources said.
Khan is rated as a one of the top playback singer of Hindi film industry who has several hit numbers to his credit.
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer this year for Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji from the movie Ishqiya.
In a related move, Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department are likely to approach the DRI to garner information about the source of undeclared foreign currency.
DRI sources said besides Rahat, his manager Maroof, owner of an event management company Chitresh Shrivastava, and twoemployees of Mumbai-based Foreign Exchange firm were beinginterrogated at length about the source of the money and theirstatement were being recorded by the officials.
They said there were possible evidence of registering a case under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) against 37-year-old Khan and two of his associates.
The trio were detained on February 13 from Indira Gandhi International Airport here while they were on their way to Lahore via Dubai with their 16-member troupe.
Advertisement
Sources privy to the investigations claimed that the sleuths found Rs 51 lakh in cash which was seized besides some documents.
Advertisement
Khan was questioned by DRI officials on February 14 and asked to appear before them.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, authorities here have extended singer's visa to 10 more days after its expiry on February 14, sources said.
Advertisement
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer this year for Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji from the movie Ishqiya.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Sonam Bajwa Makes Us See Stars In The Day With Her In A Black Salwar Suit Ileana D' Cruz On Staying Away From Films: "Want To Give Time To My Son" Weekend Binge: Sarfira And Other Biopics To Add To Watchlist "Constantly In Pain": Hina Khan, Battling Cancer, Posts Pic From Hospital Inside Thalapathy Vijay's Meet-And-Greet Session With Rambha And Her Family Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Poster: Taapsee-Vikrant, Sunny's Love Triangle World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Puja Khedkar's Father Was Suspended Twice On Extortion Complaints Meet Gagan, A Daily Wager Who Cracked IIT Despite All Odds Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.