Actor Dulquer Salmaan Petitions Kerala High Court for Release of Seized Luxury Vehicle in Customs Smuggling Investigation

Customs officials conducted widespread raids across approximately 30 locations throughout Kerala on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation.

Kochi: Actor Dulquer Salmaan has approached the Kerala High Court seeking the release of his luxury vehicle that was seized by the Customs Preventive Department. The seizure was part of a larger operation targeting luxury cars allegedly smuggled into India from Bhutan.

Justice Ziyad Rahman A A has issued a notice to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, requesting their counsel to appear with instructions on September 30, when the case will be heard next.

In his petition, Salmaan claimed that his seized vehicle—a 2004 Land Rover Defender—was originally shipped by the International Committee of the Red Cross to their Regional Delegation in New Delhi. According to the actor, the vehicle was properly cleared for home consumption with the appropriate bill of entry filed by the ICRC Regional Delegation.

The actor maintained in his plea that he had purchased the vehicle under the genuine belief that it possessed valid ownership and registration with the Motor Vehicle Authority, giving him no reason to suspect any irregularities concerning the vehicle's legal status.

Salmaan's petition further stated that he had acquired the vehicle from Aarpee Promotors Pvt Ltd, which had previously purchased it from an individual named Habeeb Mohammed, under whose name the vehicle was registered.

The actor alleged that customs officials seized the vehicle in a "hasty and arbitrary fashion," refusing to examine the documentation he provided. He expressed concern that the legal proceedings following the seizure would likely be prolonged, during which time the vehicle would remain unused and exposed to environmental elements, potentially rendering it unusable.

"If the vehicle is handed over to me, it will be maintained in good motorable condition," Salmaan stated in his petition. He has requested the court to quash the seizure memo and order the release of his vehicle.

The customs raids, which took place at approximately 30 locations across Kerala on Tuesday, included searches at the homes of several film personalities including actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan, and Amit Chakkalackal. Officials seized 36 high-end luxury cars allegedly brought illegally from Bhutan using forged documentation.

The raids, conducted as part of 'Operation Numkhor,' reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting some of these vehicles were also used in smuggling gold and drugs. The initial investigation has revealed issues of tax evasion, money laundering, and what officials described as "possible links to terrorist funding."

Customs Commissioner Tiju emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that such operations pose a serious threat to both national and economic security, as these networks could potentially be used to smuggle various types of contraband.