I-T sleuths release Nigerian diplomat after interrogation
The Income Tax department releases him after interrogation and seizes the money as the source of money was not known.
The Nigerian diplomat, who was caught with 2.27 million US dollars at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, was released by the Income Tax department after his interrogation as he enjoyed diplomatic immunity, but the money was seized.
"We have released him after his interrogation. His explanation about the source of money was not satisfactory and that is why we seized the entire money," Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) SS Khan told PTI.
Khan said that the Ministry of External Affairs and other relevant authorities have been informed about the whole incident and for necessary action.
The I-T sleuths on Tuesday caught Captain GA Ojedokun, the Defence Attache of Nigerian High Commission in New Delhi with 2.27 million US dollars when he was going to catch a Lagos-bound Ethiopian Airlines plane.
The diplomat, who has been in New Delhi since February this year, was immediately placed under detention and interrogated by the taxmen.
The I-T department's swift move came after it received an input from the Air Intelligence Unit indicating a large scale transfer of foreign exchange.
"This is a large racket of forex transfer. The racket is spread over different countries with several contacts based in India. We have launched a detailed investigation," an I-T official said.