Bipasha Basu detained at airport, let off after paying duty
PTI
Mumbai, 26 May 2011: Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu was detained at the international airport here on Thursday for not declaring goods but let off soon after paying duty, days after a similar incident involving starlet Minissha Lamba.
The ‘Dhoom 2’ actress was intercepted after she had crossed the green channel without making any declaration on her arrival from London.
“Actress Bipasha Basu was caught carrying come undeclared items the value of which was not high. She was let off after she paid the duty,” Additional Commissioner of Customs Mahender Pal told PTI.
P.M. Govande, Commissioner of Customs, Airport, however, denied that she was detained.
“She was carrying undeclared goods worth over Rs 65,000 and so we asked her to pay the duty of Rs 13,000 which she did,” he said, adding “no fine or penalty” was imposed.
Customs sources said she was carrying sandals, sunglasses and perfume, which she did not know also needed to be declared. “She was very cooperative and showed all the bills,” they said.
In a brief statement the ‘No Entry’ actress said, “It was just a routine check up at the airport and many others were being checked as well. I paid Rs 12,000 as taxes against some personal goods. I think the customs team is doing an excellent job.”