Undeclared jewellery does not belong to me: actor

Bollywood actress Minissha Lamba, detained at the airport here on Wednesday on arrival from France for not declaring jewellery estimated to be worth over Rs. 31 lakh, has claimed the ornaments were for promotional purpose and do not belong to her.

The 26-year-old, who was let off after a second round of questioning on Thursday, which followed a 16-hour-long grilling which took place on her arrival from Cannes, said the episode was a “minor procedural lapse” being blown out of proportion.

The actress was questioned again during which she admitted she was not aware of the procedure of declaring the jewellery, which, she claimed, had been carried from India for her stint at the international film festival.

“I am free. It was a minor procedural lapse. There was a lapse in declaration. Custom officials have been kind and co-operative. The jewellery is with the customs and is being assessed by them. I don't understand why it is being blown up. It is not as serious as it sounds. The situation is fine, I am going home,” Ms. Lamba said emerging after the questioning.

“In something like this there is a lot of paperwork involved and that is why it has taken a long time,” the actor said.

Statement recorded

“She was called to our office at Marol in Andheri. Her statement was recorded under Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962,” said Mahendra Pal, Additional Commissioner (Air Intelligence Unit).

The passenger had accepted non-declaration of goods and said the jewellery was taken out from India while she went to attend the Cannes Film Festival on May 11. Further investigation was on, Mr. Mahendra Pal said.