Hardik Pandya Refuted all the Rumors Over Watches of Rs. 5 crores, Issues Statement

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• Nov 16, 2021 | Deleted

Mumbai: Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya clarifying all the allegations about his alleged reports of the Mumbai Customs Department seizing two wrist watches worth Rs. 5 crores, posted a statement in his Twitter handle on Tuesday morning.

The 28-year-old all-rounder tweeted, “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 added that while the customs department is properly valuing the items, the watches were worth Rs. 1.5 crores and not 5 crores, as reported earlier.

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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 confined to pay.” Pandya said.

Moreover, Pandya concluded his statement by saying that he is a law-abiding citizen of the country. He respects all government agencies and the rumours floating about him crossing legal boundaries were not true.

As per reports, while Pandya was returning from Dubai after wrapping up its T20 World Cup series, the Mumbai Custom Department seized two watches of the cricketer for allegedly not having a bill for the said items on Sunday night.

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The all-rounder is reported to have a collection of the most expensive watches globally, including Patek Philippe Nautilus Platinum 5711, which costs around ₹5 crores.

Hardik Pandya has been dropped from the India team, playing against News Zealand in a three-match T20 series scheduled to start from Wednesday. Venkatesh Iyer for the upcoming series will replace Pandya.