Feb. 13: Well-known Pakistani 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 intelligence officers on Sunday evening after he was found carrying a huge amount in undeclared foreign currency.
The 37-year-old Rahat, nephew of the (late) Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was on his way back to Pakistan via Dubai. DRI and Customs officials, acting on a tip-off, intercepted him after he and his 15-member troup 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 lakh) 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 I-T officials have joined the probe.