Minissha Lamba detained in airport for 16 hours

Minissha Lamba, detained by Customs officials at the Mumbai international airport for allegedly not declaring gold and diamond jewellery worth over Rs 50 lakh, was let off after 16 hours of questioning, officials said today.

"Lamba was allowed to go at 1 am after 16 hours of questioning and recording of statement. She is likely to be called today as well," a Customs official said.

The 26-year-old actor, who landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport from Cannes, France, via Dubai by an Emirates flight at 8.30 am yesterday, was crossing the green channel when she was intercepted by the Customs officials.

During checking of her luggage, she was found to be carrying jewellery worth over Rs 50 lakh in her bag.

Lamba, whose debut film Yahaan garnered critical acclaim, has acted in movies like Bachna Ae Haseeno and Corporate. She was in France to attend the premiere of Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.

Photograph: Francois Durand/Getty Images