According to ABP news report, Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been accused of smuggling foreign currency in India. The singer got a total sum of $340000 (approximately Rs. 2.42 crores) through illicit means of which he is reported to have smuggled $225000.
As per the press reports, ED is investigating this case and has issued Rahat and his manager Mahroof Ali Khan a notice regarding the same. If Rahat is found guilty, and if ED is not satisfied with his response, the agency will be compelled to slap 300% penalty on him. If even after that, Rahat refuses to correct the wrong, ED could also forbid him from performing anywhere in India.
For those unaware, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a popular Pakistani singer, who also happens to be the nephew of celebrated singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He is well known for his songs as sung in movies like Kalyug, Love Aaj Kal, Singh is Kinng, My Name is Khan, Sultan etc.
However, he is equally notorious when it comes to flouting Indian laws, especially related to foreign exchange. This is not the first time that has been accused of smuggling foreign currency into India. Way back in 2011, he was found with undocumented $ 125000 at Indira Gandhi International Airport. For mysterious reasons, he wasn’t booked for smuggling at that moment.
If this wasn’t enough, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was accused of the same offence in 2014. This time, a case was registered against him as per the rules and regulations of the FEMA act. Going by these details, it seems like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a habitual offender when it comes to flouting Indian rules and regulations, and it for these very artists that our ‘Aman ki Asha’ brigade shed copious tears if they even receive a scratch.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan isn’t the only Pakistani artist who has had a habit of violating the Indian laws. When CINTAA [Cinema & Television Artistes’ Association] had banned the involvement of Pakistani actors and singers, a sting operation by News 18 revealed that the artists wanted to continue their transactions with India, but only after they were paid in black money, especially when PM Modi had announced the bold move of demonetization on November 8, 2016. As such, flouting foreign exchange laws is just routine business for Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
It is extremely disappointing to see that people like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan have absolutely no respect for our rules and regulations. Worse, it is even more disappointing, when such folks, instead of being condemned, are not only supported by our ‘Aman ki Asha’ brigade but also invited to perform in our country, even at the costs of the lives of our innocent civilians and the soldiers guarding our nation. We wonder how long will this brazen hypocrisy last.