Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been issued a show-cause notice by ED for alleged violation of foreign currency rules on Wednesday. The notice was issued to him in connection with the seizure of undisclosed US Dollars on him at the Delhi airport in 2011. An official of the ED said, “A show-cause notice has been issued to Khan for the alleged violation of foreign currency rules and for embezzling two million rupees.”
The ED officials also claimed that the popular Sufi singer has been asked to respond to the notice in 45 days. The officials of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had arrested Khan and his manager Maruf Ali Khan from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in 2011, and the undisclosed amount of USD 1.24 lakh and some other belongings were seized from them. After this, the investigating agency started inquiries under the FEMA in 2014 against Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his associates.
The Central Agency ED had investigated cases of foreign exchange violations under FEMA, and it has already interrogated the singer about the matter. The singer has defended himself, claiming he hadn’t done anything illegal. He was carrying such a huge amount on him because he was travelling with a huge group, he had said. Born in Sufi Kawwal family, Rahat Ali Khan is a singer of Pakistani origin and has occupied stage since the age of 7. Rahat is the nephew of a well-known Sufi-singer Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan debuted as a playback singer in Bollywood with the movie ‘Paap’ in 2003. He has also been a judge on reality shows in India.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently investigating the case. Khan will be penalised with 300% penalty if the ED remains dissatisfied with his response. If he refuses to pay the penalty, a lookout notice is expected to be issued against the singer and he would thereby be prevented from performing anywhere in India.
