Kochi, Sep 23 (NationPress) In a significant move against luxury car tax evasion, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs have seized a high-end vehicle owned by actor Dulquer Salmaan, the son of Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty, during a nationwide initiative dubbed “Numkhor.”

Salmaan’s Land Rover Defender, which bears a Tamil Nadu registration, was confiscated and taken to the Customs office in Kochi. This 2012 model has reportedly changed ownership three times, with Salmaan being the latest registered owner.

The vehicle seizure is part of an extensive operation across Kerala, a region that has become a focal point in the ongoing investigation. Earlier, officials spent significant time at Mammootty’s former residence near Kochi, where they discovered nearly eight luxury cars.

Additionally, two vehicles associated with actor Amit Chakalackal were also taken—one registered in his name and another from a workshop believed to be linked to him, though it is registered to another individual.

The high-profile inspections commenced early Tuesday and are being executed simultaneously at around 30 locations across Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts.

Residences of prominent actors, including Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan, were among the venues scrutinized, highlighting the extensive nature of the operation.

Authorities disclosed that the investigation has revealed a complex tax-evasion scheme involving luxury cars imported via Bhutan to elude duties. These vehicles were initially registered in Himachal Pradesh before being transferred to other states, frequently with altered registration numbers to disguise their origin. It is suspected that at least eight categories of high-end vehicles have been imported into India using this method.

Customs officials, in collaboration with the Motor Vehicles Department, are also examining high-end car dealerships throughout the state. Those from whom vehicles are seized will receive notices and will be required to provide valid ownership and import documentation.

Authorities emphasized that while raids at celebrity residences draw public interest, the operation is methodical and targets both individuals and commercial importers. Due to the high value of luxury cars, these vehicles are particularly prone to tax evasion, necessitating rigorous enforcement.

The “Numkhor” operation is anticipated to proceed in several phases, focusing on documentation, registration practices, and transport networks, with officials committed to dismantling what they describe as a “sophisticated, large-scale evasion racket.”