Operation Numkhor: Dulquer Salmaan seeks release of seized vehicle, customs to tighten probe

KOCHI: Actor Dulquer Salmaan will soon request customs to release the vehicle seized in Operation Numkhor. The move is based on the permission given by the Kerala High Court. Dulquer had earlier approached the Kerala High Court seeking the release of his Land Rover seized by customs as part of Operation Numkhor. The court, which heard the detailed arguments, passed an interim order to the additional commissioner of customs to consider the actor’s request.

Meantime, the customs are planning to seize more vehicles. The high court had also directed customs to explain the reason if the vehicle cannot be released. Based on this, Dulquer is planning to request the release of his Land Rover. Although three of Dulquer's vehicles were seized, the actor approached the court only for the release of one vehicle.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had recently conducted lightning raids on the houses of actors Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj and Amit Chakkalakkal in connection with vehicle smuggling. The ED said the raid was based on information about a syndicate involved in the illegal import and registration of luxury cars like Land Cruiser and Defender to India via Bhutan/Nepal routes. The raids were conducted at Mammootty's old house, 'Mammootty House', and at the house in Kadavanthra where Mammootty presently resides.