Rahat Fateh Ali Khan mulls legal action against Indian officials

Islamabad, Feb 23 – Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was arrested at the Delhi airport for carrying undeclared foreign currency, is contemplating legal action against the Indian authorities for allegedly confiscating his money. 

Rahat was arrested at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Feb 13 for carrying undeclared foreign currency worth more than $124,000. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) investigated him for more than a week before returning his passport and fining him and his manager Rs.1.5 million each. 

“To get back the confiscated amount is my right. It can’t be taken away from me,” he said at a press conference Wednesday evening in Lahore, capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province. 

“I am taking legal advice and also discussing the issue with my friends,” Rahat, who returned to Pakistan, said. “The decision to take legal course will be taken accordingly.” 

“I have also paid the fine of Rs.1.5 million from my own pocket,” he said. 

“This was a case of Customs Act and I did not know about this earlier,” he said, adding that “all transaction of the money earned in India earlier was from bank to bank”. “This is the first time that I was paid in cash,” he claimed. 

“I have fully cooperated during the investigation and have no complaints against the authorities,” he said. 

“During this troubled time, the Indian government and particularly Indian film director Mahesh Bhatt supported me a lot,” he recalled. 

Rahat said he also found a lot of love from the Indian public during his visits. 

“There are all kinds of people everywhere but my experience has been good,” he said while urging other Pakistani artistes working in India “to remain aware of the government laws and respect them”. 

Rahat, the nephew of legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is popular both in India and Pakistan. Several of his hit songs from Indian films are a rage on both sides of the border, for which he has won several awards, including the recent Filmfare award for “Dil to Bachcha Hai Jee”.

Rahat freed, but asked to stay in India pending probe

New Delhi, Feb 14 - A day after Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was detained at the Delhi airport on charges of carrying undisclosed foreign currency of over $100,000, he was freed Monday, but has been asked to stay in the country pending a probe into the source of the money.

Rahat, along with two of his colleagues Maroof and event manager Chitresh Shirivastava, has been asked to appear before the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DIR) Feb 17, informed sources said.

The three were asked by the DRI to surrender their passports and appear again for questioning in three days.

Rahat was released after an assurance by the Pakistan high commission that he will cooperate with the probe, the sources added. He has been told not to leave the country.

'We are only questioning him. We will be shortly taking a decision,' Vijaylakshmi Sharma, director-general of the DRI, told reporters when asked about the outcome of the interrogation.

Rahat was detained at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Sunday on his way back to Pakistan after attending concerts and award functions in India.

'The DRI officers found altogether $124,000, 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 said.

Majumadar added that there were 'clear violations of excise laws' and the currency carried by them was 'much above' the allowed limit.

According to norms, no one can carry beyond $5,000 in cash and $5,000 in other instruments. The person has to declare to the Customs Department if he is carrying more than this amount.

Islamabad started working up diplomatic channels to free Rahat Ali after he was detained Sunday night.

Government sources in New Delhi Monday said India's external affairs ministry has been in touch with Pakistan's Foreign Office over the issue.

Three officials from Pakistan's high commission in New Delhi came to zonal headquarters of the DRI where the singer was interrogated, but left after about 30 minutes, the sources said.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called India's High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal in Islamabad and discussed the matter around midnight Sunday. He requested the Indian envoy to ensure that 'no official should misbehave with Rahat during interrogation'.

Bashir also called up Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik and directed him to 'take immediate steps for securing release of Rahat'.

'The matter should be taken up formally with the Indian foreign office,' he said, adding that 'contact with Indian authorities for updates in the case must be maintained throughout'.

Malik spoke with Vivek Katju, Secretary (West) in India's external affairs ministry, insisting that the protective custody of the singer be lifted, Pakistan's state-run APP news agency quoted a statement from the Pakistan Foreign Office as saying.

Earlier, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik called Shahid Malik and directed him 'to provide necessary legal and other consular help to Rahat'.

Rahat's brother-in-law, Asim Raza, told Dunya TV that they 'received information from the media and were feeling concerned about it'. 'We are yet to establish any proper contact with the authorities in India although Rahat talked briefly with his wife and asked her to remain hopeful of a positive outcome'.

Rahat, the nephew of legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is popular both in India and Pakistan. Several of his hit songs from Indian films are a rage on both sides of the border, for which he has won several awards, including the recent Filmfare award for 'Dil to Bacha Hai Ji'.

IANS

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan freed, not allowed to leave India

New Delhi, Feb 14 – With Pakistan cranking up diplomatic pressure, Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was detained at the Delhi airport on charges of carrying undisclosed foreign currency, was released Monday after hours of interrogation by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence – but has been asked to stay in the country.

Rahat, along with two of his colleagues Maroof and Chitresh Shirivastava, have been asked to appear before the DIR Feb 17, informed sources said.

Rahat was released after an assurance by the Pakistan High Commission that he will cooperate with the probe, the sources added. He has been told not to leave the country.

‘We are only questioning him. We will be shortly taking a decision,’ Vijaylakshmi Sharma, Director-General of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, told reporters in Delhi.

Rahat was detained at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Sunday on his way back to Pakistan after attending concerts and award functions in India. More than $100,000 was recovered from the 15-member troupe.

Islamabad started working up diplomatic channels to free him after he was detained Sunday night.

Government sources in New Delhi Monday said India’s external affairs ministry has been in touch with Pakistan’s foreign office over the issue.

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Sharat Sabharwal and discussed the matter around midnight Sunday. He requested the Indian envoy to ensure that ‘no official should misbehave with Rahat during interrogation’.

Bashir also called up Pakistani High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik and directed him to ‘take immediate steps for securing release of Rahat’.

‘The matter should be taken up formally with Indian foreign office,’ he said, adding that ‘contact with Indian authorities for updates in the case must be maintained throughout’.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik called Shahid Malik and directed him ‘to provide necessary legal and other consular help to Rahat’.

‘Regular updates should be given to authorities in Pakistan regarding efforts to resolve the case,’ he stressed.

Rahat’s brother-in-law, Asim Raza, told Dunya TV that they ‘received information from the media and were feeling concerned about it’. ‘We are yet to establish any proper contact with the authorities in India although Rahat talked briefly with his wife and asked her to remain hopeful of a positive outcome’.

Rahat, the nephew of legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is popular both in India and Pakistan. Several of his hit songs from Indian films are a rage on both sides of the border, for which he has won several awards, including the recent Filmfare award for ‘Dil to Bacha Hai Ji’.

IANS

Pakistan seeks release of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Islamabad, Feb 14 – Pakistan has initiated hectic efforts to secure the release of famous singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan detained at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on charges of carrying undisclosed foreign currency.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Sharat Sabarwal and discussed the matter around midnight Sunday. He requested the Indian envoy to ensure that ‘no official should misbehave with Rahat during interrogation’.

Rahat was detained at the Delhi airport Sunday on his way back to Pakistan after attending concerts and award functions in India. More than $100,000 were recovered from the 15-member troupe.

After over six hours of interrogation by customs officials, he was formally arrested and would be presented in a court Monday morning, Dunya News reported.

Bashir also called up Pakistani High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik and directed him to ‘take immediate steps for securing release of Rahat’.

‘The matter should be taken up formally with Indian foreign office,’ he said, adding that ‘contact with Indian authorities for updates in the case must be maintained throughout’.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik called Shahid Malik and directed him ‘to provide necessary legal and other consular help to Rahat’.

‘Regular updates should be given to authorities in Pakistan regarding efforts to resolve the case,’ he stressed.

Rahat’s brother-in-law, Asim Raza, told Dunya TV that they ‘received information from the media and were feeling concerned about it’. ‘We are yet to establish any proper contact with the authorities in India although Rahat talked briefly with his wife and asked her to remain hopeful of a positive outcome’.

Rahat, the nephew of legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is popular both in India and Pakistan. Several of his hit songs from Indian films are a rage on both sides of the border, for which he has won several awards, including the recent Filmfare award for ‘Dil to Bacha Hai Jee’. 

IANS