Kochi: The Kochi Customs Preventive Wing has released actor Amit Chakkalakkal’s Land Cruiser SUV, which had been seized as part of Operation Numkhore. The vehicle was handed back on the basis of a bond and a bank guarantee. The decision was taken by the Additional Commissioner of Customs after considering Amit’s application. Conditions include producing the vehicle whenever demanded by Customs.

Earlier, Customs had seized several vehicles in connection with the Bhutan vehicle smuggling case. In Dulquer Salmaan’s case, Customs had clarified that there was a provision to apply for temporary release of seized vehicles.

Following Dulquer receiving his vehicle back, Amit submitted a similar request. Meanwhile, the inquiry related to other vehicles seized from Amit’s garage is still underway.

Amit had previously stated that the Land Cruiser seized by Customs had been in his use for the past five years. He said he had handed over documents showing the transfer of vehicles over the past 15 years to Customs, and that such details were publicly available on vehicle-related portals.

He also said Customs had inspected his vehicles earlier to check whether any were among those brought in from Bhutan in the past two years, and that they had already confirmed none of them originated from Bhutan.

Amit stated that the claim that all six seized vehicles belonged to him was entirely false. They were vehicles brought to a workshop that operates under his care for repair and work. He added that all those vehicles had been purchased from various showrooms within India and that their invoices had been submitted to Customs as proof. Amit had earlier claimed that only one of the vehicles seized belonged to him.