Kerala: Customs’ Operation Numkhor, investigating high-value pre-owned vehicles allegedly smuggled from Bhutan by a Coimbatore-based network, is drawing national attention due to potential security and economic implications. As part of the probe, authorities have raided the Kerala residences of actors, including Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Officials intend to share the findings with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Motor Vehicle Department (MVD), and GST authorities, laying the groundwork for a coordinated, nationwide investigation. The vehicles involved are suspected to have been sold across multiple Indian states.

Is it legal to bring vehicles from other states?

While Operation Numkhor highlights potential irregularities, bringing a vehicle from another state into Kerala is legal if all formalities are followed correctly.

The Kerala Motor Vehicle Department issued a video advisory on Saturday explaining the rules:

  • Temporary use: Vehicles may be used in Kerala for up to one month without paying any special tax or fee.
  • Extended use: Owners who wish to use a vehicle for longer—due to employment, education, or other reasons—may do so for up to one year without an NOC or changing the registration, provided they pay 1/15th of Kerala’s lifetime road tax.

Permanent registration requirements

For permanent registration in Kerala, it is mandatory to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the originating state. Once the NOC is obtained, owners must:

  • Pay road tax within 14 days.
  • Register the vehicle within one month of the NOC issuance.
  • Failure to register within one month results in substantial late fees: ₹300 per month for motorcycles and ₹500 per month for other vehicles.

Road tax computation and refunds

Kerala road tax for vehicles arriving with an NOC is based on:

  • The vehicle’s original ex-showroom price.
  • The number of completed years from the vehicle’s registration date to the NOC issuance date.
  • Vehicles older than 15 years are only taxed for the last five years. Owners may also apply for a refund of the remaining lifetime tax paid in the originating state by submitting a request to the original Regional Transport Office (RTO).

Documentation and compliance

To complete registration, the vehicle owner must:

  • Appear in person at the RTO or Joint RTO.
  • Pay the requisite fees and taxes.
  • Present the vehicle for inspection.
  • Owners wishing to book a fancy registration number must do so before the vehicle inspection. After inspection, the new vehicle number will be allocated.
  • For vehicles registered after 1 April 2019, the installation of High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) is mandatory. Owners can arrange fitting through authorised showrooms in Kerala.

Penalties for inter-state vehicles

Vehicles operating in Kerala without an NOC or without paying the required Kerala road tax face strict penalties:

  • The vehicle may be seized.
  • Owners must pay double the tax.