Operation Numkhor: Another SUV Seized From Dulquer Salmaan
The Customs department’s latest crackdown, Operation Numkhor, has lately been creating multiple headlines. Previously, raids were conducted at the residences of two prominent actors of the Malayalam film industry- Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan- both known for their successful acting careers and passion for cars and motorcycles. Eight vehicles were seized from Amith Chakkalakkal, another actor. Two were seized from Dulquer Salmaan- a Land Rover Defender and a Nissan Patrol. According to the latest reports, another SUV has now been seized from Dulquer- another Nissan Patrol finished in Red.
This vehicle was reportedly on the Customs radar for some time. Officials had failed to locate it previously. The SUV, an older-generation Patrol, was finally confiscated from an apartment complex in Vennala, in Kochi. One of the actor’s relatives lives here.
It was kept covered in the complex’s parking area. Some reports also say that the number plates (KA 01 MV 9663) had been removed. The vehicle is quite famous in car enthusiast circles. Information from the public is said to have helped officials in locating it.
The SUV’s documents reveal that it had the Indian Army as the first owner. The second owner was a native of Himachal Pradesh. Officials are now investigating the ownership tree in detail to find out if the Patrol was smuggled in through Bhutan and later registered in the Army’s name, forging documents that would facilitate the same.
Customs officials are now inspecting the vehicle in detail. The chassis and engine numbers will be investigated and verified to find out the real history. Dulquer will have to submit several of the vehicle’s documents for the same. The department is also preparing to file its response to the actor's plea at HC. More about this later in this article. More details of the latest seizure are expected to surface once this happens.
Three vehicles linked to Dulquer Salmaan have been seized yet, as part of Operation Numkhor. According to the Customs Department, as many as four vehicles (two Patrols and two Land Rovers) owned by the actor are being investigated. Officials are collecting and scrutinising the ownership and purchase details of these. Dulquer had purchased all these from previous owners in India.
The actor has filed a plea against the seizure at the Kerala High Court. He also claimed that all legal formalities of the seized vehicles were completed properly at the time of the purchase. Dulquer, the son of veteran actor Mammootty, requested the court to release his seized SUVs as soon as possible.
Dulquer Salmaan, in his plea, said that the Defender was purchased from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), legally. The body’s regional delegation in New Delhi was using it. Dulquer has owned it for the last five years. The Court hasn’t yet ruled on this plea or ordered the department to release the vehicle.
Reports following the latest seizure point to the possible involvement of multiple fraud syndicates involved in the smuggling trade. These operate across several states and cities. Previously, a Coimbatore-based gang was said to be responsible for bringing these vehicles to Kerala. New reports suggest the possibility of more gangs and people being part of the process.
Another Land Cruiser was seized from Kundannoor, last week. Details collected from its owner Mahin Ansari reportedly revealed the involvement of more people. He said that the dealers that sold him the SUV were all North Indians. This Land Cruiser is in fact, a 1994 model. It was, however, registered as a 2012 model at the time of ownership transfer. A mismatch has also come to light, in its engine number and that mentioned in its documents. These have reportedly been communicated to the Customs department.