Alleged Luxury Car Imports Routed via Bhutan: Customs Dept. raids Malayalam Cine-Actors' Houses in Operation Numkhor
Actors Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj were among those whose premises were searched by the customs
As Dulquer Salmaan revels in the colossal success of his Wayfarer Productions' ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’ becoming the Malayalam’s film industry’s all-time highest grossing film, he is now faced with a new nemesis in the form of the customs department.
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‘Operation Numkhor’, which translates to ‘vehicle’ in the Bhutanese language - is an enforcement operation initiated by the Customs Preventive Department specifically within the state of Kerala has been launched to thwart the smuggling racket which allegedly imports large-scale luxury vehicles into India from neighboring countries.
As per reports, the customs department has conducted raids in almost 30 locations spread throughout Kerala including Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram and have seized.
According to Customs officials, the racket involves smuggling abandoned vehicles from the Bhutanese Army into India, which were later sold to buyers in Kerala. These cars, including high-end SUVs and luxury models worth between ₹25 lakh to several crores, were allegedly registered in states like Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh before being moved to Kerala.
A total of 36 vehicles have reportedly been seized by the department, including those retrieved from the residences of Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj and Amith Chakkalackal.
Customs officials also raided the homes of middlemen and second-hand showroom dealers alleged to be part of the smuggling syndicate.
Actor Amith Chakkallakkal whose vehicle was also seized, responded to news channels, noting that his Land Cruiser with Madhya Pradesh registration which was seized upon allegations that the same had been smuggled to India from Bhutan.
He clarified that five other vehicles found at his garage belonged to different owners and were brought in for repair works. “I have already submitted the documents of my vehicle. The owners of the five other cars have been informed, and Customs has given them ten days to produce their records,” Amit stated. He also confirmed that officials questioned him about his connection with the other vehicles and may summon him again after document verification.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) are said to be working in tandem to unearth the truth behind this alleged snuggling mafia.
A press conference held by the CBIC confirmed that they had conducted investigations at the homes of high-profile celebrities and seized a number of vehicles. The primary allegations surround instances of money-laundering as none of the payments for these luxury vehicles were made through direct banking channels.
It has been further stated that only preliminary investigations have occurred, and a final decision may be taken upon only after serving summons upon the actors, requiring them to appear in person before the department.
Earlier Allegations in the Malayalam Cine Industry
The fresh controversy has reopened discussions on earlier high-profile tax evasion cases, pointing out parallels with the 2019 Puducherry registration scam where over 2,300 vehicles, including those owned by leading actors such as Suresh Gopi, Fahadh Faasil and Amala Paul, were fraudulently registered outside Kerala to evade road tax.
In that case, now Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, Suresh Gopi, faced prosecution for allegedly evading around ₹16 lakh in motor vehicle tax by using a fake address, though he was later released on bail. Fahadh Faasil paid a penalty of about ₹19 lakh to settle the matter, while cases against him and Amala Paul were subsequently dropped.
The resurgence of allegations against top actors has reignited debate over systemic loopholes in vehicle taxation and cross-state registrations. How will this issue go down the road? We’ll have to wait and watch.
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