NEW DELHI, Feb 19: India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Saturday charged Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his manager Maroof with violations of the country’s foreign exchange and customs regulations in connection with the recovery of huge undeclared foreign currency from them at the airport here last week.

The DRI, which detained the duo from Indira Gandhi international airport on Feb 13 with allegedly undeclared $124,000 and some other instruments in foreign currency, has completed its probe and sent the matter for adjudication, which will be done by the commissioner of customs (airports), sources said. The commissioner may impose heavy penalty on the duo for violations of the law, they said.

The investigations against event manager Chitresh Shrivastava, who is also under detention, and two foreign exchange dealers of Mumbai, would continue, the sources said.

The agency had conducted the exhaustive questioning of Rahat (37) and Maroof about the money, regarding payments received during their shows in India and channels of money transfer. It had also questioned a number of other persons in the case which included his event managers.

Sources privy to the investigations claimed the sleuths found over five million rupees in cash from the company which was seized besides some documents which could be helpful in the probe.

Rahat and his 16-member troupe, including Maroof and the event manager, were detained by the authorities. The troupe was on its way to Lahore via Dubai.—Dawn/ Times of India News Service