The Hindu : National : Aishwarya `surprised' over parcel

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Thursday, Nov 16, 2006
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National

Aishwarya `surprised' over parcel

JAIPUR/MUMBAI: Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai on Wednesday expressed surprise at reports that the Customs department had received a parcel, containing 23,000 euros (Rs. 13 lakh), addressed to her. She said she would sort out the issue with the authorities.

"This is as much news to me and my family as it is to you and the rest of the world. We know nothing," Ms. Rai, shooting for Ashutosh Gowariker's film Akbar Jodha in Jaipur, told NDTV. "My lawyers and my father will work out the issue with government officials," she said.

"The law of the land will take its course. They will check all of this and find out. Frankly, I would like to know what this is all about. About my personal life, films and gossip — all that goes on. But in matters like this, you [the media] need to exercise a little more responsibility and wait to get the facts."

A white packet from a man in the Netherlands addressed to Ms. Rai, which contained electronic items and the undeclared foreign currency, reached the Foreign Post Office a month ago, Customs Commissioner (Imports) A.K. Prasad said on Tuesday in Mumbai.

Krishnaraj Rai, Ms.Rai's father, on Wednesday visited the Customs office in South Mumbai and replied to queries regarding the euros.

"He was very cooperative. He answered all our queries and gave satisfactory replies. In fact, both [Ms. Rai and father] have been cooperative," Mr. Prasad told PTI.

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