Hardik Pandya denies custom seized his '5 crore worth' watches

Mumbai: The seizure of expensive watches from cricketer Hardik Pandya by Mumbai Customs on Tuesday has been denied by the all-rounder and he said he voluntarily went to Mumbai airport customs counter to declare the items brought from Dubai and also paid the requisite customs duty.

In a statement issued on social media, Pandya claimed the cost of the watch is Rs 1.50 crore and not Rs 5 crore as mentioned in the media.

Pandya also said “wrong perceptions have been floating around on the social media regarding my declaration to Customs at Mumbai Airport”.

The cricketer said arriving here from Dubai early on November 15 and picking up his luggage, he proceeded to the Mumbai Airport Customs counter to declare the items brought by him and pay the requisite customs duty.

“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… All allegations against me of crossing any legal boundaries are totally unfounded,” said Pandya.

The cricketer contended that the Customs Department asked him to provide all the purchase documents which he submitted and now they are doing a proper valuation for the duty which he has already confirmed he would pay.

"Customs Department seized two wrist watches worth Rs 5 crore of cricketer Hardik Pandya, on Sunday night (November 14/15) when he was returning from Dubai. The cricketer did not have the bill receipt of the watches," Mumbai Customs Department said.

Pandya returned from Dubai after India's unsuccessful campaign in T20 World Cup. (UNI)