Kochi: The Customs department on Monday adjudicated the case involving actor Kalabhavan Mani as he appeared before the authority and provided evidence to prove that the gold bangle which the sleuths seized from him was not bought during his trip abraod.
To prove his innocence, the actor also took along with him the goldsmith who made the bangle for him. The ornament was released after Mani paid Rs 7,000 as fine.
The decision to penalise the actor and give back the bangle came after Mani said the 181-grams gold bangle, which was seized from him for not producing valid documents, was bought from Kerala much earlier.
He also said he was wearing the ornament while he was leaving the country on November 28. Based on the statement, the Customs deputy commissioner S.A.S. Navaz checked the CCTV visuals of the day and confirmed that the actor was wearing it while leaving for Kuwait.
“The gold bangle was re-examined and the CCTV visuals of November 28 were checked in the light of Mani’s statement. The ornament was found to be used and old.
The visuals also showed clearly that he was wearing it on his right hand. Hence the case was adjudicated. A redemption fine of Rs 5,000 and penalty of Rs 2,000 were received from him,” Navaz said.
