Mumbai: Actress Aishwarya Rai, who was embroiled in the parcel controversy, was given the clean chit by the Customs department on Monday evening.
The actress was interrogated by Customs officials at the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai for over two hours regarding the parcel containing €23,000 (Rs 14 lakh) addressed to her.
During the interrogation Aishwarya denied any involvement in the case and has gone back to Jaipur where she is currently shooting for director Ashutosh Gowarikar's film Akbar Jodha, her secretary Hari Singh confirmed.
“We have given her a clean chit as of now,” Commissioner Customs, Western Zone, A K Prasad said.
She was “mentally very disturbed but cooperative (during questioning) and our officers had to pacify her,” he added.
Aishwarya's father Krishnaraj Rai had met Custom officials in their office on November 15 to clarify her position on the issue. But the officials insisted to know firsthand from her and hence she came to the city to clarify her position on the parcel, containing the currency.
Customs officers say the package from Netherlands, which also contained electronic items did not arouse much interest but it was Aishwarya's name and address on the parcel that got it a second look.
It was found that the manner of packing was not above board as money was hidden between other items in the parcel. The parcel, which arrived at the Foreign Post Office in Mumbai towards September end, was allegedly sent by one Avineshwar and marked to the actress.
"There were electronic goods like a DVD player, Nokia phones among other things, which were declared. That was fine. The only disconcerting fact is that a packet containing currency was concealed inside the package, which is slightly disturbing," Prasad had said before the interrogation of the actress.
While the whole matter may be the work of a deranged fan or with a malicious intent, the possibility of Aishwarya actually knowing the sender cannot be ruled out.
(With inputs from Toral Varia and agencies)
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