Stars caught up in vehicle smuggling controversy; Prithviraj, Dulquer to be questioned; luxury vehicles seized from 35 locations

KOCHI: Customs officials in Kerala have uncovered a major vehicle smuggling racket involving luxury cars brought from Bhutan without paying import duty. In surprise raids across the state, the residences of actors Prithviraj, Dulquer Salmaan, and Amith Chakkalackal were also searched. According to officials, the actors came under the scanner after purchasing vehicles through intermediaries and second-hand dealers.

Two luxury cars were seized from Dulquer's residence, while eight cars were taken into custody from Amith's residence. In total, 36 vehicles were seized. The operation was code-named 'Numkhor'—a Bhutanese word that means vehicle. The main aim of the raid was to bust a racket that smuggled out old and vintage cars discarded by the Bhutanese army and sold them in India.

The stars, along with others, had paid over Rs 25 lakh for these vehicles. Searches were carried out in 35 locations, including homes of buyers, middlemen, and second-hand showrooms. The raids were conducted in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram from morning till evening.

According to Customs, around 150–200 vehicles were smuggled into India via a Coimbatore-based racket. These cars were illegally registered in Himachal Pradesh before being brought to Kerala. The raids were launched after confirming that actors and others had purchased cars through these middlemen.

The investigation also uncovered black money transactions, fake documents using the names of the Indian Embassy and military, and tampering with e-vehicle registration. Customs Commissioner Dr T. Tiju of the Preventive Department said the information will be handed over to the central investigation agencies.

Dulquer’s Land Rover in custody

Raids were conducted at Prithviraj’s residences in Kochi Thevara and Thiruvananthapuram, Dulquer’s home in Kochi Elamkulam, the Panampilly Nagar residence where his father Mammootty lives, and Amith Chakkalackal’s house in Kadavanthra. Dulquer’s Land Rover Defender and Land Cruiser were taken into custody. Prithviraj has been asked to produce documents for his Defender. The actors will also be questioned.

How the smuggling worked

1. Vehicles were purchased cheaply from Bhutan and dismantled into parts.
2. The parts were smuggled through border routes into India and reassembled here.
3. Another loophole misused: Bhutanese citizens are allowed to bring their cars into India.

“Importing second-hand vehicles into India is not permitted by law. Even with fines, such vehicles cannot be released. None of the buyers, including the stars, paid through proper channels.”

– Dr. T. Tiju, Customs Preventive Commissioner