Crime patrol role reversal...Rahul Chelani arrested with RS 43 lakh

Rasheed Kidwai, TT, Bhopal, Dec. 8: A television actor was today allegedly caught carrying Rs 43 lakh in 2,000-rupee notes in a car whose number plate had "President, Anti-corruption Society" inscribed in thick golden letters.

Officers said that Rahul Chelani, who features in a Hindi serial titled Crime Patrol on Sony, claimed to be the head of the Anti-corruption Society, which he said was registered in Calcutta.

Madhya Pradesh police have seized the cash, apparently stuffed in a black cloth bag, and detained the car's three occupants, who included Rahul's relative Kapil Chelani and driver Brajesh Choure.

Their white Innova was waiting at a red light in Hoshangabad district when the police asked them to open the boot. Rahul allegedly panicked and asked the driver to speed away but the police dragged them out.

"It was a routine check; we had no prior knowledge," inspector Mahendra Chouhan of the Kotwali police station said.

Police sources said that Rahul could not explain how he had procured so much money in the new currency.

"He first said he was carrying the cash to pay a cloth merchant," an officer said.

Chouhan said Rahul had claimed business interests in clothes and real estate. He alleged that Rahul and Kapil, interrogated separately, had constantly changed their statements.

"Rahul said at one point the money was payment for acting while Kapil claimed it was the proceeds from a property sale. Kapil said the money had been exchanged from old notes at a bank," Chouhan said.

"Rahul further said that he was going to his maternal uncle's home to keep the money in safe custody. We have informed the income-tax department and seized the money."

Another officer said the police suspected a hawala transaction.