Source: Nishant A Bhuse, Dailybhaskar.com

Last Updated 01:14(09/06/11)

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MAH-MUM-mallika-sherawat-brother-involved-in-money-laundering-2171682.html?D3-MUM=

Mumbai: Mallika Sherawat's brother, Vikram Lamba, may be in serious trouble with the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), which is suspecting him of money laundering for the actress.

Vikram was booked under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for carrying foreign currency beyond permissible limits and not declaring goods liable for payment of duty. He is now being probed for his role in money laundering.

Mallika Sherawat’s publicist said the actress is currently in New York and has refused to comment on this issue.

A source from AIU said, “Vikram was carrying 13,000 UK pounds (Rs 10 lakh), and expensive electronic goods and some cosmetic items (supposedly belonging to Mallika) worth about five lakh rupees. He has made a lot of trips to the UK and is learnt to have been handling his sister’s financial transactions too.”

The permissible limit is 5,000 UK pounds and that too with prior information and permission.

Lamba was detained by Customs officials at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Terminal on Tuesday while he was passing through the green channel. He arrived on an Emirates flight from London via Dubai.

“We are probing the foreign currency transactions and items which were not declared,” said Deputy Commissioner, Customs, Sameer Wankhede.

Lamba is expected to be called for another round of questioning. His links with foreign exchange agents in Mumbai are also likely to be probed.

Mallika Sherawat is currently pursuing her Hollywood career and is based in the United Kingdom.