ED summons Dulquer Salmaan in luxury car smuggling case
**ED Summons Dulquer Salmaan in Luxury Car Smuggling Case**
*By Shreya Mukherjee | Oct 08, 2025, 05:11 PM*
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan in connection with the recent seizure of three high-end pre-owned SUVs by Customs. This move is part of **Operation Numkhor**, targeting high-value vehicles suspected to have been smuggled from Bhutan.
According to *The Hindu*, two Land Rover Defenders and a Nissan Patrol belonging to Dulquer Salmaan have been seized. The actor will be questioned regarding transactions related to these vehicles as the investigation progresses.
### Legal Proceedings
Earlier, Dulquer Salmaan approached the Kerala High Court seeking the release of his seized vehicles. However, on Tuesday, the court directed him to approach the adjudicating authority under the Customs Act for one of his luxury SUVs.
This development comes amid ongoing investigations into the alleged smuggling and unauthorized foreign exchange transactions linked to high-value pre-owned luxury cars.
### ED Raids Across Multiple Locations
Since Wednesday morning, the ED has been conducting raids under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These operations are part of a wider probe into the smuggling of luxury vehicles and associated illegal foreign exchange dealings.
The raids targeted residences and business establishments linked to notable film personalities including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan, his father Mammootty, and Amit Chakkalakkal.
### Background of the Investigation
These ED raids follow simultaneous operations by the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi, conducted on September 23. The Customs teams searched over 30 locations and seized 37 high-value second-hand cars suspected of being smuggled from Bhutan over recent years. An additional three vehicles were confiscated in subsequent days.
The Customs investigation was initiated based on a flagged list of 150-200 vehicles showing irregularities in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways database.
### Syndicate and Modus Operandi
Preliminary findings indicate the involvement of a Coimbatore-based syndicate engaged in the illegal import and registration of luxury cars such as Land Cruiser, Defender, and Maserati through Indo-Bhutan and Nepal border routes.
The illegally imported vehicles were reportedly sold to high-net-worth individuals, including film industry personalities, at undervalued prices.
The ED’s action was triggered after the detection of prima facie violations of Sections 3, 4, and 8 of FEMA. These violations include unauthorized foreign exchange transactions and cross-border payments routed through hawala channels.
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The case continues to develop as authorities probe deeper into the syndicate’s operations and the involvement of various individuals in this luxury car smuggling racket.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/ed-investigates-dulquer-salmaan-in-car-smuggling-case/story
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