Aishwarya Rai questioned by customs officials on cash stashed in mail

MUMBAI, India (AP) - Customs officials on Monday questioned Indian superstar Aishwarya Rai about a shipment addressed to her that was found to contain a large sum of euros. Last week the customs department had seized a packet sent to Rai by a Netherlands-based Indian event organizer. The packet contained euros worth about US$28,800 tucked inside electronic goods. Rai said she knew nothing about the packet or the person who sent it.

"She was questioned for an hour or so at the airport," said her lawyer, Girish Kulkarni. "She said what we have always been saying: that she doesn't know this person and she is in no way concerned or connected with this."

Kulkarni said customs officials would continue investigations about the person who sent the package.

Rai was questioned at Mumbai's airport on her arrival from the desert town of Jaipur, where she had been filming for her new movie "Jodha Akbar."

The cash was found during a routine check of foreign mail by Mumbai's postal department.

© The Canadian Press, 2006