ED conducts raids at Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan’s homes.
The ED conducted searches at Mammootty’s Elamkulam residence, Dulquer’s Kochi and Chennai homes, Prithviraj’s residence, and Amit Chakkalakkal’s house in Kadavanthra during ongoing investigations.
ED Raids Homes of Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj in Luxury Car Smuggling Probe
Kochi: The alleged Bhutan luxury car smuggling scandal took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out simultaneous raids at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, including the residences of leading Malayalam actors Mammootty, his son Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amit Chakkalakkal.
The searches were conducted at Mammootty’s Elamkulam residence, Dulquer’s homes in Kochi and Chennai, Prithviraj’s residence, and Amit Chakkalakkal’s home in Kadavanthra. Raids also extended to premises of automobile dealers in five districts as part of the widening investigation.
The ED confirmed that the operation is linked to alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Officials said the action followed credible intelligence regarding a syndicate illegally importing and registering high-end vehicles, including the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender, through Bhutan and Nepal.
Investigators allege that forged documents, reportedly from the Indian Army, US Embassy, and Ministry of External Affairs, were used to secure fake registrations in states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. These vehicles were then allegedly sold to buyers, including celebrities, at discounted prices.
The court directed Customs to consider such requests within a week, provided valid ownership papers and security deposits are furnished.
Dulquer’s legal counsel maintained that the seized car had been legally imported in 2004 for the Red Cross with ministerial clearance and was subsequently purchased through legitimate transactions. Customs, however, insisted on retaining the vehicle due to the ongoing probe and intelligence inputs.
Authorities estimate that more than 150 illegally imported luxury cars are currently in Kerala, with approximately 40 already seized. Dulquer had two other vehicles confiscated earlier, a move he did not contest.
The court also questioned Customs on owner disclosure and the evidence backing claims of fake registrations. Dulquer’s application for release under Section 110(A) of the Customs Act, 1962 is now pending, with the outcome set to influence the ongoing investigation.
The ED’s parallel probe is expected to expand the investigation, potentially bringing more owners of high-end vehicles under scrutiny. The case has drawn attention not only due to the involvement of prominent actors but also because of the intricate syndicate allegedly operating across multiple states and using sophisticated methods to bypass legal channels.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on the dual effort by the ED and Customs authorities to uncover the full scale of illegal vehicle imports and ensure accountability among all parties involved.