Operation Numkhor; Actor Amit Chakkalakkal’s Land Cruiser released

KOCHI: A vehicle of actor Amit Chakkalakkal seized by the Kochi Customs as part of Operation Numkhor, has been released. The Land Cruiser SUV registered in Madhya Pradesh was released. The additional commissioner of customs took the decision after considering Amit's request.

The vehicle was released based on the bond and a 20 percent bank guarantee. It was released with conditions such as the vehicle should be produced at any time and the vehicle should not be used. His vehicle was seized as part of a raid conducted by the Customs in the case of smuggling vehicles from Bhutan to Kerala by evading taxes. In the case of actor Dulquer Salmaan, the Customs had clarified that there was an opportunity to apply for temporary release of the seized vehicles. Amit also submitted a similar application after Dulquer’s vehicle was released.

The vehicle was seized in September during a search in the name of Operation Numkhor. The aim was to bust a gang that smuggles and sells vintage vehicles abandoned by the Bhutanese army. The residences of actors Prithviraj and Dulquer Salmaan were also searched.

The customs received information that 150 to 200 vehicles brought in by a vehicle smuggling gang in Coimbatore were illegally registered in Himachal Pradesh and brought to Kerala. The search was carried out after it was confirmed that the vehicles were purchased by celebrities through intermediaries.