Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and two members of his troupe were released by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Monday pending probe, a day after they were detained for their undeclared $1.24 lakh (about Rs. 60 lakh).
As investigations continued to find out the source of the huge amount of foreign currency, the three men were freed after being asked by the DRI to surrender their passports and appear again for questioning after three days.
The DRI did not file any case against the detainees and let them go after vigorous questioning. They were also asked not to leave the country.
Pakistani diplomatic channels were also activated and High Commission officials in New Delhi tried to get a Consular access to him, sources said.
Three High Commission officials came to the zonal headquarters of the DRI where questioning of the singer was underway but left after about 30 minutes, sources said.
Mr. Khan (37) along with his manager Maaroof and event manager Chitresh Shrivastava were detained on Sunday from Indira Gandhi International Airport while they were on their way to Lahore via Dubai after an alleged undeclared $1.24 lakh were recovered from the three men who were part of a 16-member troupe.
The officials subjected the singer to the questioning throughout the day while 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.
When contacted Mr. Adesh Shrivastava said that he was not aware of any developments as he had been bed ridden for many days while another brother of Mr. Chitresh Shrivastava, Vishal Shrivastava disconnected the phone call made to him for his reaction about the search.
The sources said questioning of Mr. Chitresh Shrivastava, who was also been detained on Sunday, was being carried out on the alleged cash seizure made from his Mumbai premises.
“The DRI officers found altogether $1.24 lakh which is equivalent to about Rs. 60 lakh. $24,000 were found from the baggage carried by Rahat while the remaining $50,000 each were found from the baggage of two troupe members,” Central Board of Excise and Customs Chairman S. Dutt Majumdar had said.
He said there were “clear violations of excise laws” and the currency carried by them was “much above” the allowed limit.
As per norms, no one can carry beyond $5,000 in cash and $5,000 worth instruments. The person has to declare the amount if he is carrying more than this to the Customs Department.
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