Fact-Check: Did Customs Seize Two Watches Worth Rs 5 Crore From Hardik Pandya?

Mumbai: Cricketer Hardik Pandya has said the reports are false and has clarified on Twitter.

What did the reports say?

News reports on Tuesday claimed two watches worth Rs 5 crore were seized by Customs officials from Hardik at Mumbai airport on his return from Dubai on Sunday night. The news soon became a talking point on social media.

What does Hardik have to say?

Hardik on Tuesday clarified that “he voluntarily went to Mumbai airport Customs counter to declare the items brought by him and pay the requisite 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. As a matter of fact, the Customs department had asked for all the purchase documents which were submitted; however, Customs is doing the valuation for duty which I’ve already confirmed to pay,” Pandya wrote in a statement issued on Twitter.

Hardik also said only one watch worth ₹ 1.5 crore had been taken for “proper valuation”.