Kerala Celebs Under Lens As Probe Agency Takes Up Bhutan Car Smuggling Case

Kerala Celebs Under Scrutiny As Investigation Agency Examines Bhutan Car Smuggling Case

Customs officials have confirmed that all operation details will be transferred to the ED.

Thiruvananthapuram:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to investigate the high-profile Bhutan car smuggling racket following direction from the Kerala High Court. On September 23, a division bench consisting of Justice K Narendran and Justice Murali Krishna, which handles PMLA cases, questioned the ED's counsel regarding actions being taken on the luxury car smuggling case from Bhutan that involved purchases by influential Kerala personalities.

The court specifically highlighted concerns about the vehicles that were purchased by celebrities, either knowingly or unknowingly. The case gained national attention after prominent names including Dulquer Salman and Prithviraj emerged in connection with it.

Standing counsel Advocate Jaishankar Nair informed the court that the ED would examine the matter as it appears to involve money laundering, which falls within its jurisdiction. This indicates the investigation will extend beyond the Customs Department's seizures and likely involve multiple agencies. According to sources, customs will transfer all details of Operation Namkoor to the ED.

Customs officials have verified that operation information will be handed over to the ED. The Central GST wing is also expected to examine potential tax evasion connected to the racket. Officials have suggested this could develop into one of the most significant financial crime investigations in recent history.

Customs Commissioner On Modus Operandi

During a press conference in Kochi on Wednesday, September 22, Customs Commissioner Tiju Thomas revealed that the Coimbatore-based racket acquired luxury used cars from Bhutan and smuggled them into India using falsified documents.

The network allegedly utilized Indian Army insignia, forged US Embassy documents, and fake government seals to evade inspection. Customs believes the second-hand vehicles were purchased from the Bhutan Royal Army, illegally transported to India by road, and subsequently re-registered in Himachal Pradesh. Customs made the alarming revelation that the racket could forge documents and potentially hack into the Mparivahan website to modify vehicle details.

"Our findings indicate this extends beyond vehicles. The same methods could potentially be used for gold or narcotics. It represents a national security risk," stated Mr Thomas.

Customs sources estimate between 150 and 200 luxury vehicles were imported through this network. Thirty-six were seized in Kerala as part of Operation Namkur. The vehicles included high-end SUVs such as Land Cruisers and Land Rovers, some of which were re-registered in Himachal Pradesh before arriving in Kerala.

Celebrities In The Spotlight

The operation has reached the Malayalam film industry. Customs officials confirmed seizing two vehicles connected to actor Dulquer Salmaan. The residence of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran was also searched, though no seizure was reported.

Commissioner Tiju claimed that eight luxury vehicles were linked to actor Amit Chakalakkal. However, Chakalakkal stated that reports claiming Customs seized six of his vehicles are inaccurate, explaining that the vehicles were actually brought to his garage for repair. He added that these same vehicles, which Customs had previously summoned, were checked with all documentation six months ago, and were seized again yesterday.

"I own only one vehicle. I have been instructed to submit the documentation. I have been given ten days to comply," the actor clarified. Dulquer and Prithviraj have not issued any responses to date.

Multi-Agency Probe Likely

With the ED preparing its case, the investigation is expected to broaden. Authorities will investigate money trails, fraudulent registrations, and the involvement of intermediaries. When forged insignia and diplomatic papers are utilized, it transcends mere financial fraud and becomes a matter of national interest. Sources close to law enforcement indicate that even the NIA could become involved, as the customs department has suggested a multi-state racket is at play. The case might also fall under the jurisdiction of multiple enforcement agencies like NIA, as customs believe gold and other materials have likely been transported using similar methods.