Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya and controversy go hand in hand. After reports emerged of alleged rape against a woman, the Customs Department of Mumbai on Sunday seized two wristwatches worth Rs 5 crores from cricketer Hardik Pandya at the airport for allegedly not having the correct receipt of the watches upon arriving from Dubai.
Incidentally, Hardik owns some of the most expensive watches in the world and his watch collection even includes the Patek Philippe Nautilus Platinum 5711 – which costs over Rs 5 crore.
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Meanwhile, after arriving at the airport from the T20 World Cup 2021, the customs officials found Hardik in possession of two luxury watches worth Rs 5 crores. Hardik Pandya allegedly did not have invoices for the watches, nor had he declared these watches as customs items. As a consequence, the customs officials confiscated his watches.
Interestingly, last year, the elder brother of Hardik, Krunal Pandya was detained at Mumbai Airport while returning from Dubai, over suspicion of being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables. Krunal was found in possession of Gold worth INR 1 crore and some undisclosed luxury watches.
Hardik Pandya issues clarification over watches seized at Mumbai airport
The ace all-rounder, on Tuesday, has issued a statement to clarify what transpired at the Mumbai airport upon his arrival from the UAE after the T20 World Cup 2021. Taking to Twitter, Hardik Pandya wrote:
“Early on Monday morning, 15th November, on my arrival from Dubai, after picking up my luggage, I voluntarily went to Mumbai customs counter to declare the items bought 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,” Pandya said.
“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. The cost of the watch is approximately Rs 1.5 crore and not 5 crore as per the rumours floating around on social media,” it added.
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 16, 2021
