Pakistani Singer released after 25 hours detention

Pakistan's famed singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was released who had been taken into custody in India for more than 25 hours; Rahat Fateh Ali was detained at the Indira Gandhi Airport at New Delhi for allegedly attempting to leave the country processing $124,000, higher than the permitted limit when he arrived at the airport to board for a flight to Karachi. According to Indian Laws, it is allowed up to $5,000 in cash or $10,000 in traveler's cheques (TC) to be taken abroad.

However, the artiste was let him to go after 25 hours but his passport still remains into the Indian Authorities. He has been convened again for investigation on 17^th February. Two more persons along with Rahat Fateh Ali were also released including his manager Sri Vastava. According to the artiste, one hundred thousand US dollars was taken to him by his manager and it was given by a private company, He totally admitted that he did not know the law that how much permissible amount was taken on board.

The Interior Minister Rehman Malik also had a discussion with Pakistan's High Commissioner to New Delhi Shahid Malik to find out the details about the imprisonment. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir spoke with Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad and insisted on that the internationally notorious singer be released. Rahat Fateh Ali, along with his group of about 20, was scheduled to fly to Lahore by Emirates flight after a series of concerts in India. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) received a tip-off that he would be carrying a large amount of foreign currency. At the airport, revenue officials allegedly recovered $50,000 from Khan's check-in bags, another $50,000 from his aide's check-in baggage and $24,000 from another aide's hand suitcases. The troupe also carried two demand drafts for $10,000 and $8,646. Along with Khan, his troupe manager and the event company manager were also in custody for inquiring. The singer had last performed at a south Delhi farmhouse wedding where he is learnt to have received a massive payment. Rahat Fateh Ali has several hit numbers to his credit and won the Film fare Award for Best Playback Singer this year for Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji from the movie Ishqiya.