After being detained by Customs, actor Anushka Sharma is now facing inquiry by the income tax (I-T) department for carrying undeclared diamond jewellery and two Christian Dior watches worth Rs35 lakh.
On Monday, the actor was returning from Toronto via Singapore by an Air India flight around 2.30pm after attending the International Indian Film Academy Awards.
A deputy director of income tax from the investigation wing of the department visited the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport but couldn’t question the actor as Customs officials were recording her statement.
When asked if the I-T department had questioned Anushka, BP Gaur, director general, investigation, income tax, said he was not aware of it. While a spokesperson for Anushka denied that she was questioned, an I-T official said the department would soon send her summons.
“She will have to submit details of her income earned and taxes paid for the current as well last financial year,” the official said.
The official said the department was checking whether Anushka had received payment for promoting the jewellery at the IIFA awards. “If she received any payment, we want to know what was the mode. We will also cross check this with the jewellery houses and watch dealer,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}The official said the department was checking whether Anushka had received payment for promoting the jewellery at the IIFA awards. “If she received any payment, we want to know what was the mode. We will also cross check this with the jewellery houses and watch dealer,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}A passenger flying abroad with jewellery and valuables has to declare them in advance. The valuables are valued and an export certificate is given which has to be produced on return. Anushka had failed to obtain the certificate.
“We need to verify if the valuables she was carrying are accounted for,” the official said. “This is now becoming a trend. Previously also celebrities had claimed ignorance of rules.”
Keeping this in mind, the I-T department has decided to send an official at the airport when a celebrity is caught with expensive items, the official said.
Anushka’s spokesperson said she had certificates from all the brands when she left the country. The actor also carried photographs of the pieces she was carrying. “Having certificates from the brands is not enough since it is not attested by the government,” a Customs official said.