Kochi: As part of the ongoing Operation Numkhor, Customs officials have reportedly seized a vehicle reportedly used by actor Amit Chakkalakkal, whose residence was raided by the Customs Department the other day in connection with the alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles. This development comes shortly after two high-end vehicles linked to actor Dulquer Salmaan were also seized by the Customs Department in connection with the same investigation.

Speaking to reporters, the actor stated that his only vehicle was a second-hand Land Cruiser, over 20 years old, which he has been using for the past five years.

“The other luxury cars seized from my residence and workshop belonged to clients who had brought them to me for renovation or repairs. Out of the seven vehicles confiscated, only one is mine,” he said.

Chakkalakkal also mentioned that the customs department had summoned him back in November last year regarding these vehicles. At that time, he had submitted all the necessary documents, and no further action was taken until the recent raids.

“During yesterday’s search, I again provided all the relevant documents. It is now up to the customs authorities to verify their authenticity,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Customs Preventive department conducted raids at approximately 30 locations across Kerala as part of “Operation Numkhor” — named after the Bhutanese word for ‘vehicle’ — to crack down on the illegal import of luxury cars from Bhutan using forged documents bearing Army and US Embassy seals.

The searches included the residences of prominent actors such as Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salman and Amit Chakkalakkal. In total, 36 high-end luxury vehicles were seized.

The customs department stated that many of these illegally imported vehicles were also being used for smuggling gold and drugs. Investigations revealed additional illegal activities including income tax and GST evasion, as well as money laundering linked to the smuggling operation.

Officials further disclosed that they are examining whether funds generated from these illegal activities were being funneled into terrorist activities.

Further investigation is ongoing, with enforcement agencies closely monitoring vehicle ownership and registration trails.

Why is importing vehicles an issue in this case?

Importing second-hand vehicles into India is prohibited. Vehicles used in foreign countries can only be brought in under the ‘Transfer of Residence’ (TR) provision, which requires paying over 150% of the vehicle’s value in duty. None of the vehicles brought to Kerala followed this legal route.

Forgery on Parivahan portal too

Customs Commissioner Tiju revealed that forged data has been used on the Ministry of Road Transport’s Parivahan website to register these vehicles. It is under investigation whether the portal was hacked. In one instance, a vehicle manufactured in 2014 was falsely shown as registered in 2005.

Black money and tax evasion involved

Customs also uncovered black money transactions, income tax evasion and GST fraud in showrooms. Relevant information has been shared with enforcement agencies including the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Customs Preventive Commissioner, T Tiju, also stated that authorities are investigating if these SUV smuggling operations have links to terror financing. If confirmed, agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will be alerted.

(With PTI inputs)