Kochi, Sep 23 (NationPress) In a significant initiative against luxury car tax evasion, officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Customs have initiated a nationwide operation, dubbed 'Numkhor', with Kerala identified as a primary area of concern.

Extensive inspections are currently being conducted at 30 locations across Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts.

Among the prominent sites are the homes of actors Prithviraj and Dulquer Salmaan, underscoring the operation's broad reach.

Additionally, several high-profile individuals in Kerala are under scrutiny.

Despite reaching the actors' residences, officials were unable to locate the vehicles in question.

Customs officials are collaborating closely with the Motor Vehicles Department to conduct meticulous checks at major car showrooms statewide.

Officials stated that they will confiscate vehicles and issue notices to the owners, compelling them to present the necessary documentation. Investigations suggest that eight categories of high-end vehicles were imported into India via Bhutan, evading taxes.

The scheme involves initially registering the vehicles in Himachal Pradesh before distributing them across India, often altering registration numbers to hide their origins.

While the residences of celebrities have attracted considerable media interest, officials clarified that the operation is systematic, targeting both showrooms and individual importers suspected of tax evasion.

Given their high market value, luxury vehicles are particularly susceptible to such illegal practices, necessitating rigorous inspections.

Authorities have indicated that the 'Numkhor' operation will unfold in several phases, focusing on documentation, registration processes, and transportation routes.

The involvement of celebrity homes in the inspections has garnered significant media coverage, but officials reiterated that the operation is strictly procedural and part of a nationwide campaign to protect revenue and enforce compliance.

By integrating district-wide inspections, cooperation with state agencies, and examination of high-value imports, the operation exemplifies the government’s commitment to thwarting sophisticated tax evasion in the luxury automobile sector, while delivering a clear message that no importer is beyond the reach of the law.