Operation Numkhor: Owners should keep seized vehicles, more cars of Dulquer under suspicion

KOCHI: Luxury cars seized by Customs in connection with Bhutan car smuggling will remain with the owners themselves. Customs have decided to release the luxury cars to the owners. Notices will be issued summoning the owners to keep the vehicles in safe custody. They will not be allowed to use the cars till the legal proceedings are over. It is the responsibility of the owners to prove that the vehicles were not brought in illegally. If found guilty, the vehicles will be seized. Meanwhile, two cars belonging to actor Dulquer Salmaan are under suspicion. It is said that more cars of the actor are likely to be seized.

Other central agencies will also probe the Bhutan car smuggling case. Customs has found evidence of large-scale black money transactions. The Enforcement Directorate will probe this aspect. The Central GST department will investigate tax evasion. The Ministry of External Affairs will be informed about the use of forged documents in the name of embassies.

The State Police can investigate the creation of fake documents. Respective states will be asked to cancel vehicle registrations and related approvals. Since most of the financial transactions and records related to smuggling through Bhutan are suspected to be illegal, Customs will share the documents and information with various agencies.