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Dulquer Salmaan, Other Malayalam Film Stars’ Homes Raided Again in Multi-Crore Luxury Car Smuggling Probe
In a major development shaking the southern film industry, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the residences of renowned Malayalam actors Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amit Chakkalackal—alongside auto traders, car workshops, and other high-net-worth individuals—across Kerala and Tamil Nadu as part of an ongoing investigation into a sophisticated luxury car smuggling racket. The fresh crackdown, conducted at 17 locations in Ernakulam, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, and beyond, comes under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) after Customs and the ED jointly uncovered the illegal import and undervaluation of high-end SUVs and luxury cars through the India-Bhutan and India-Nepal border routes.
Luxury Cars Under the Scanner
Authorities report the seizure of at least 40 vehicles since the probe began in September, including flagship models such as Nissan Patrol SUVs and Land Rover Defenders registered to Dulquer Salmaan and Amit Chakkalackal. Cars connected to the case span from Toyota Land Cruisers and Maseratis to other rare luxury imports smuggled using forged documents—reportedly in the names of the Indian Army, US Embassy, and Ministry of External Affairs—to secure fraudulent registrations in states like Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh at reduced prices.
Key Details of the ED Operation
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Operation Numkhor: The crackdown, labelled as ‘Operation Numkhor’, targeted illegal cross-border movement and irregular foreign exchange transactions through “hawala” channels.
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Methods Used: Smuggled vehicles were dismantled, shipped, and reassembled domestically, then sold to high-profile clients with forged RTO paperwork and undervalued invoices.
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Legal Proceedings: The Kerala High Court has allowed Dulquer Salmaan to petition for provisional release of his seized Defender SUV, with Salmaan asserting the car was purchased in good faith, originally imported for humanitarian use by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Timeline and Coverage Table
| Date | Key Event/Action |
|---|---|
| September 2025 | ED, Customs launch probe, seize 36+ luxury vehicles |
| 7 Oct 2025 | ED raids 17 homes/businesses, records statements of actors & dealers |
| 8 Oct 2025 | Kerala High Court hears pleas from Dulquer Salmaan for car release |
| Ongoing | Probe expanding to networks in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore |
Case Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The ED suspects widespread violations of FEMA Section 3, 4, and 8 via unauthorized foreign exchange transactions and hawala payments tied to the import transactions. Officials have hinted the racket’s tentacles may also touch alleged gold and drug smuggling cases. As of now, Dulquer Salmaan has not publicly commented, but legal representatives argue that due process and documentation were followed in his purchases.
Stay with IndiCar for exclusive coverage on celebrity-linked car controversies, luxury car market updates, and the final outcome of this high-profile investigation.
