Ekta Kapoor was detained last night at Mumbai airport for alleged duty violation, joining the list of recent Bollywood figures to have been intercepted by customs officials.The producer was stopped by officials when she tried to pass the green channel — meant for those who have no goods on which duties can be levied — soon after her arrival from Bangkok.
According to officials, Ekta’s personal baggage had items worth Rs 1 lakh above the free limit allowed to those returning from abroad.
Officials ran a one-and-a-half hour check of her baggage, following which she was asked to pay the tax and a penalty. “Duty was charged on the goods she was carrying apart from a fine and penalty below Rs 1 lakh for non-declaration,” said customs commissioner.
Ekta left around midnight after paying Rs 53,000, including the fine. Other customs officials called the incident “routine” saying Ekta was merely made to pay a penalty. They said she wasn’t questioned or made to record statements, unlike actresses Minissha Lamba and Anushka Sharma.
Anushka had to go through a three-hour verification of documents for jewellery and watches worth Rs 30 lakh she was carrying while returning from the IIFA awards in Toronto in June.
In May, Minissha was stopped and had to record her statement after she failed to produce papers for the jewellery of a brand she endorsed on returning from Cannes.
Anushka had to go through a three-hour verification of documents for jewellery and watches worth Rs 30 lakh she was carrying while returning from the IIFA awards in Toronto in June.
In May, Minissha was stopped and had to record her statement after she failed to produce papers for the jewellery of a brand she endorsed on returning from Cannes.
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