Well-known Paki-stani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who has done a number of Bollywood hit numbers, was detained at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here by revenue int-elligence officers Sunday evening after he was found carrying a huge amount in undeclared foreign currency.
The 37-year-old Rahat, nephew of the legendary (late) Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was on his way back to Pakistan via Dubai. DRI and customs officials, acting on a tipoff, intercepted him after he and his 15-member troupe reached the airport.
Central Board of Excise and Customs chairman S. Dutt Majumdar told a TV channel that DRI officers had found $154,000 in US dollars (approximately `70 lakhs) in the baggage of Rahat and his troupe — including $24,000 with Rahat himself. All members of the group are currently being interrogated.
Mr Majumdar added: “Depending on the gravity of the offence, we will decide whether to arrest (them) or not. Right now officers are interrogating him. I believe they have also picked up the event manager.” Two others accompanying him were also detained.
Enforcement Directorate and income-tax officials have joined the probe, and are interrogating members of the group. Sources said possible violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Foreign Exchange Management Act are being examined.