'Middleman of vehicle deal, tried tampering with Parivahan app'; Noose tightens for actor Amit Chakalakkal

KOCHI: The Customs investigation into the Bhutan vehicle deal is now focusing on actor Amit Chakalakkal. Customs concluded that Amit was the middleman in the vehicle smuggling deal from Bhutan. Customs received information that the actor was directly involved in the sale of premium vehicles. The officials are now preparing to question the Coimbatore vehicle trading gang and the actor in detail.

The preliminary investigation into the case is underway. Of the 200 vehicles purportedly smuggled from Bhutan to Kerala, only 38 have been recovered. Amit was summoned to the Customs Preventive Office on Thursday as well, and he handed over the documents of the seized vehicle to the officials. It is also suspected that Amit tried to tamper with the Parivahan app.

The investigation related to Operation Numkhor was extended to Himachal Pradesh. The documents for the Bhutanese vehicles were sorted from the Shimla Rural RT office. Customs believes that Amit Chakalakkal was also involved in including these vehicles on the M Parivahan website. RT officials will also be questioned to confirm this.

Meanwhile, Amit dismissed customs claims that he was the broker in the deal but admitted to often purchasing vehicle parts from the Coimbatore gang.

Amit entered the film industry as a junior artist in Dulquer Salmaan's 'A.B.C.D.' in 2013. His notable lead role includes Fr. Vincent Kompan in Vaarikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam. Amit, a mechanical engineer, has been active in bike and car sales for years. Amit used to handle vehicles at a workshop called Raju's Automobiles in Pottakuzhi, Kaloor. He mostly does repairs for his cars at this shop. Some of his vehicles are still here.

Amit (40) is the son of the late Saju Jacob and Shirley.