$41k seized at Amritsar airport, 1 detained
The passenger, who was travelling to Dubai via Air India Express Flight IX 191 on May 29, was caught carrying $41,400, hidden inside an additional bag placed in his luggage. The concealed currency exceeded the permissible Reserve Bank of India (RBI) limit and was unaccounted for, prompting the DRI to seize it under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the individual was engaged in the illegal smuggling of foreign currency for personal financial gain. Officials said that further probe was underway to unearth any broader network or involvement of others.
This is the second major seizure of foreign currency by the DRI within a month. On May 3, officials seized foreign currency worth ₹2.66 crore, arresting another individual from Amritsar airport in connection with the smuggling attempt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Trump-Epstein ties under scrutiny: Sexual harassment allegations by Maria Farmer in 1996 resurface; White House reacts
Renewed attention is being drawn to former associates of Jeffrey Epstein which includes sexual harassment allegations made in 1996 by artist Maria Farmer . At the time, Farmer, then in her mid-20s, alerted law enforcement not only to Epstein's alleged abuse but also raised concerns about the powerful circle surrounding him- including now-US President Donald Trump , then a New York real estate magnate. Farmer's original account, recently revisited by The New York Times, included a troubling encounter involving her younger sister at Epstein's New Mexico ranch and a series of interactions with high-profile individuals in Epstein's social orbit. While Farmer never accused Trump of criminal behavior, she expressed discomfort over his presence and alleged conduct, recounting an incident in 1995 at Epstein's Manhattan office where Trump allegedly stared at her legs until Epstein intervened, reportedly saying, 'No, no. She's not here for you.' Farmer's warning to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies in 1996 and again in 2006 went largely unheeded at the time. No records of her report have been publicly released, and many relevant documents in Epstein's case remain redacted or sealed. Nevertheless, Farmer's testimony has gained renewed significance amid growing political controversy over what the still-unreleased Epstein investigative files may contain. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Law enforcement officials have consistently stated that the president is not a target of any investigation related to the disgraced financier. Still, Farmer's early allegations have raised questions about whether his name may appear in sealed federal files, even if only tangentially. The matter has become increasingly politicized. Trump's allies have repeatedly pushed for full public disclosure of the Epstein files, arguing that selective transparency could be used to tarnish political reputations. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi recently reversed earlier commitments to release additional materials, stating a review found no basis for new charges- a decision that has only added to the speculation. Farmer's allegations stand out because of how early they were made and the broader context they highlighted. She worked for Epstein in 1995 and 1996, initially helping acquire artwork and later managing his Upper East Side townhouse. In 1996, she reported being sexually assaulted by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at his estate in Ohio- years before the financier was first indicted. Despite skepticism at the time, her family, including her mother and sister, supported her account and confirmed that she had named Trump among the powerful men she feared were being protected. Still, there is no public record indicating whether the FBI followed up on her claims or investigated Trump's ties to Epstein further. The White House has dismissed Farmer's claims. 'The president was never in Epstein's office,' said White House communications director Steven Cheung. 'The fact is that the president kicked him out of his club for being a creep.' Trump himself has emphasized that he ended his relationship with Epstein decades ago, despite previously referring to him as a 'terrific guy' and being captured on video attending social events together in the 1990s and early 2000s. Also read: Jeffrey Epstein's ex girlfriend Stacey Williams on Trump-Epstein bond; describes duo as 'bro' and 'wingman' In 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal charges of trafficking minors. He died in jail weeks later, with officials ruling his death a suicide. The fallout from his arrest and the continuing secrecy around much of the investigation has left a cloud of suspicion over many of his past associates- particularly those with political influence. Amid calls for transparency, Trump has recently supported the release of grand jury testimony related to Epstein, stating he has 'nothing to hide.' However, legal experts note that even if released, such records may offer limited insight into his relationship with Epstein, which did not feature in the primary criminal proceedings.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Flyer lands at Bengaluru airport with 4kg cocaine hidden in comic books
Bengaluru: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized more than 4kg of cocaine from an Indian passenger who arrived in Bengaluru from Doha early Friday. The contraband, valued at Rs 40 crore, was concealed inside the covers of superhero comics. Acting on specific intelligence, officials from the DRI-Bengaluru zonal unit intercepted the passenger at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). On inspecting his baggage, officers found two comics that appeared unusually heavy. Further examination revealed white powder hidden in the covers, which tested positive for cocaine. The total quantity seized was 4,006 grams. The passenger, produced before a court, was remanded in judicial custody. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The DRI has booked a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Officials said smugglers are increasingly using creative methods, such as modifying books or household items, to conceal drugs while passing through airport checks.
Mint
10 hours ago
- Mint
Vedanta rejects Viceroy Research's ₹2,500 crore loan routing claim, says ‘executed in full compliance…'
Mining giant Vedanta Ltd rejected Viceroy Research's allegations about the company's subsidiary Vedanta Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd (VSPL) routing ₹ 2,500 crore loans in a 'sham operation', stating that the loan transactions were executed in full compliance with the applicable laws, reported the news agency PTI on Sunday. Vedanta 'strongly rejects the baseless allegations made in the report regarding Vedanta Semiconductors Pvt Ltd (VSPL),' the report citied a statement by company's spokesperson. 'All business activities of VSPL have been transparently disclosed and are in line with statutory norms,' the company said. The company spokesperson added that Vedanta Ltd. and VSPL have 'consistently reported' the accurate transaction terms, rates, and collateral as per the mandated norms. 'Loans between VSPL and Vedanta Ltd were executed in full compliance with applicable laws, corporate governance standards, and both Vedanta Ltd and VSPL have consistently reported accurate loan terms, interest rates, and collateral in line with statutory norms,' a Vedanta spokesperson told the news agency. The company also reportedly asked the stakeholders to rely on verified disclosures and audited financial statements. Viceroy Research openly disclosed its short position against the debt of Vedanta Resources, the parent company of the Indian mining giant, on 9 July 2025, when they claimed that the company is 'systematically draining' its Indian subsidiary. In the latest development on the allegations saga, the US-based short seller, Viceroy Research, alleged that under the pressure to pay the brand fees, Vedanta Ltd routed ₹ 2,500 crore 'Under pressure to pay brand fees, VEDL routed a ₹ 2,500 crore loan through a company doing ₹ 416 crore in sham operations, hoping regulators didn't look,' said the short seller in its latest report. Viceroy Research released its latest report titled 'Vedanta – Vedanta Semiconductor: ₹ 2,500 Crore Dhoke Ka Sammraajy' on Friday, 18 July 2025. The report further alleged that VSPL is a 'sham commodities trading operation' which has been designed to avoid the classification of coming under a non-banking financial company (NBFC). 'We believe that Vedanta Limited (VEDL) subsidiary, Vedanta Semiconductors Private Limited (VSPL), is a sham commodities trading operation designed to improperly avoid classification as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC),' they said in the report. They also claimed that the alleged loan routing was devised to facilitate Vedanta's remittance of brand fees to its parent company when it faced a severe liquidity crunch. 'This scheme was devised to facilitate VEDL's remittance of brand fees to Vedanta Resources' (VRL) in April 2025, when it faced a severe liquidity crisis,' said Viceroy. According to the report released on Friday, the short seller claims that Vedanta Semiconductors Private Limited needs an 'operational illusion' of 24 months or 2 years to fulfil its dues to its offshore lenders and hide the 'near-catastrophe' of April 2024. They also said that even though the credit rating analysts are 'snoozing through the alarm bells,' the Indian regulators are 'famously light sleepers.' 'VSPL's operational illusion needs 24 months of regulatory silence to fulfil its purpose, repaying its offshore lenders and hiding the near-catastrophe of April 2024. While credit analysts are snoozing through the alarm bells, India's regulators are famously light sleepers,' claimed the short seller in its latest report. In April 2024, the company faced a severe liquidity crisis. The loans granted were allegedly used to fund the May dividend issue and not to pay the brand fees. 'The loan was intended to be used to send up the brand fees but, by the time JPM had sold the debt in the market, they had already been paid so the loan was used to fund the May dividend,' claimed the sort seller in the research report. 'In response, VEDL reactivated VSPL, not as a semiconductor venture, but as a zero-margin trading entity whose operations appear to consist entirely of paper-based commodity trading.' Vedanta share price closed 0.33% higher at ₹ 445.70 after Friday's stock market session, compared to ₹ 444.25 at the previous market close, according to BSE data. Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said that Viceroy Research's report on Vedanta 'lacks credibility' and that the company would be well-positioned to seek legal help in the case. This comes after Vedanta asked for an independent legal opinion on the matter. Chandrachud also highlighted that the US-based firm has a track record of taking short positions in listed companies then publishing 'misleading' reports to unlawfully profit from the stock market impact.
