Malayalam Superstar Dulquer Salmaan and Other Film Stars' Houses Raided in Luxury Car Smuggling Probe
In a major development, Malayalam film star Dulquer Salmaan's residence along with over a dozen other locations across South India were raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of an investigation into a sprawling luxury car smuggling cartel. The probe targets illegal importation and unauthorized foreign exchange dealings related to high-end luxury vehicles.
Extensive Raids Across Kerala and Tamil Nadu
On the morning of the raids, 17 premises were searched spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Properties belonging to prominent film stars including Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amith Chackalacal were among those targeted. Apart from celebrities, raids were conducted on car owners, automobile workshops, and traders mainly in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), and districts in Kerala such as Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Kottayam.
Details of the Luxury Car Smuggling Operation
The Enforcement Directorate actions stemmed from violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), following earlier Customs investigations that uncovered illegal import and tax evasion in the luxury car segment. The smuggled vehicles reportedly included high-end brands like Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Defender, and Maserati.
The illegal imports were facilitated via Bhutan and Nepal routes. Investigations revealed a sophisticated syndicate that used forged documents falsely claiming connections to the Indian Army, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy. Additionally, fraudulent registration papers were used with Regional Transport Offices in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and other states to conceal vehicle origins.
Financial and Legal Implications
These luxury vehicles were sold to high-net-worth individuals, including film stars, at prices below market value. This resulted in substantial foreign exchange violations involving unauthorized transactions and cross-border payments through hawala channels.
Customs officials have warned that the luxury car market is vulnerable to widespread illegal tax evasion, urging rigorous checks. They emphasized that the operation is systematic, targeting both legitimate car showrooms and individual importers suspected of tax evasion.
Previous Raids and Seizures
Earlier in September, raids led to the seizure of several vehicles including a Land Rover owned by Amith Chackalacal, further strengthening suspicion of direct links between some film personalities and the smuggling cartel.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are actively tracing the money trail, identifying beneficiary networks, and monitoring foreign exchange movements. The operation continues with considerable focus on uncovering the full extent of the illegal machinery behind luxury car smuggling and unauthorized foreign exchange dealings.
This probe marks a significant crackdown on luxury vehicle smuggling that impacts tax revenues and national security due to the use of forged government documents and illicit money channels.