Anushka Sharma released by Customs after 9 hrs

Actress Anushka Sharma, who was frisked at the Mumbai International Airport for carrying unaccounted gold and diamond-studded jewellery and other belongings, was let off today after nine hours of questioning, informed the Customs officials.

The actress, who was returning from the IIFA Awards ceremony in Toronto, landed yesterday at 2:30 pm, when she was stopped for unaccounted jewellery. After a questioning session for about nine hours, Anushka was let off past midnight, informed Customs Commissioner P M Govande. Her statement has been recorded and she will be called for interrogation again if required.

Customs officials also informed that they are verifying the documents provided by Anushka Sharma claiming that the belongings were taken from India. The actress, who won the Best Actress Award at IIFA Awards for her film Band Baaja Baaraat, claimed that the valuables were carried from India and had declared the goods during her departure from Mumbai, hence need not pay the duty. She was stopped during the Customs check, when she was found with possession of gold and diamond-studded jewellery and two watches, worth Rs 35 lakhs.