Hardik Pandya’s luxury watch seized at Mumbai Airport; cricketer issues clarification
Ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya has once again landed in controversy after the customs department seized two of his wrist watch at the Mumbai airport. The incident took place while he landed in India from UAE after the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
According to reports, Pandya allegedly did not have the bill receipt of the luxury watches. Earlier it was reported that the cost of the watch was Rs 5 crores, however, Pandya himself has denied the claim and said the cost of the watch is approximately Rs 1.5 crore.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya took to Twitter to clarify his stand, saying that he “voluntarily declared” all the items at Mumbai airport and was ready to pay whatever duties that need to be paid. He wrote:
“I voluntarily went to Mumbai airport customs counter to declare the items brought by me and pay the requisite customs duty. Wrong perceptions have been floating around on social media regarding my declaration to customs at Mumbai airport, and I would like to clarify about what transpired.”
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 16, 2021
“I had voluntarily declared all the items that I’d lawfully purchased from Dubai and was ready to pay whatever duties that need to be paid. As a matter of fact, the customs department had asked for all purchase documents which were submitted; however, the customs is doing proper valuation for duty which I’ve already confirmed to pay. The cost of the watch is approximately Rs 1.5 crore and not Rs 5 crores as per rumours floating around in social media,” Hardik Pandya added.
Last year, Hardik Pandya’s brother Krunal was also detained in Mumbai by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly being in possession of undisclosed gold worth close to Rs 1 crore.
