Hardik Pandya throws light on 'Rs 5 crore watch seized' by airport customs

Team India’s flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Tuesday dismissed reports that claimed two wrist watches worth Rs 5 crore were seized from the cricketer at the Mumbai airport on his return from Dubai, saying that only one watch worth Rs 1.5 crore had been seized for "proper valuation".

According to a report by news agency ANI on Tuesday, two watches were seized by the Customs Department on Sunday because Hardik Pandya allegedly did not have a bill for them.

Contradicting the accusations, Hardik Pandya posted a statement on his official Twitter handle saying, "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."

"I had voluntarily declared all the items that I'd lawfully purchased from Dubai and was ready to pay whatever duties that needed to be paid. As a matter of fact, the customs department had asked for all purchase documents which were submitted; however customs is doing proper valuation for duty which I've already confirmed to pay," Pandya said.

"The cost of the watch is approximately Rs 1.5 crore and not Rs 5 crore as per the rumours floating around on social media. I'm a law-abiding citizen of the country and I respect all government agencies. I've received all the cooperation from the Mumbai customs department and I've assured my full cooperation to them and will provide them with whatever legitimate documents they need to get this matter cleared. All allegations against me of crossing any legal boundaries are totally unfounded," Pandya added.

The all-rounder was coming back from Dubai after India’s T20 World Cup 2021 campaign.

As maintained by news agency ANI, Hardik Pandya's brother Krunal Pandya was also stopped at the Mumbai International Airport over suspicion of being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables in 2020.

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