Cricketer Hardik Pandya’s Rs 1.5 crore watch held back by Customs Dept. at airport for proper valuation

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India team cricket player Hardik Pandya said on Tuesday that only one watch worth Rs 1.5 crore that he had bought from Dubai had been taken for "proper valuation" by the Customs Department when he landed at Mumbai airport on Sunday.</p>
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He denied reports that claimed two wrist watches worth Rs 5 crore were seized from him by the Customs Department at Mumbai airport when he came back from Dubai.</p>
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News agency ANI on Tuesday had reported that two watches belonging to Pandya were seized by the Customs Department on Sunday night because he did not have a bill for them.</p>
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Pandya posted a statement on Twitter 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."</p>
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"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," he said.</p>
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"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," he added.</p>