Actress Navya Nair was fined AUD 1,980 (around Rs. 1.14 lakh) at Melbourne International Airport for carrying a 15 cm jasmine gajra in her handbag.
She didn’t realize it would cost her so much, but under Australia’s strict biosecurity laws, such violations are taken seriously. Navya admitted it was out of ignorance.
The actress had traveled to Australia to attend Onam celebrations organized by the Malayali Association of Victoria when airport officials stopped her. She said that her father had given her the gajra before her trip.
Navya later said, “What I did was against the law. It was a mistake made unknowingly, but ignorance is no excuse”.
“For carrying a small jasmine string, I was asked to pay a fine of AUD 1,980 within 28 days. A mistake is a mistake, even if unintentional”.
Australia is known for its strict customs laws, especially on carrying food.
✈️ From Onam vibes to airport fines! #Malayalam star Navya Nair. was fined #AUD 1,980 at Melbourne Airport for carrying a small jasmine #gajra in her handbag — a strict no under Australia’s biosecurity laws.
“A mistake is a mistake, though it was not intentional,” Navya… pic.twitter.com/ScJ2l2yL04
— The Australia Today (@TheAusToday) September 8, 2025
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