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.
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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.
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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.