Customs release two SUVs including Dulquer Salmaans Land Rover that was seized

Ernakulam: In a temporary relief for actor Dulquer Salmaan, the Customs Department provisionally released two luxury vehicles seized during Operation Numkhor, including actor Dulquer Salmaan’s Land Rover Defender. The move comes after a week of legal proceedings and formalities

The other vehicle released was a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Robin, a native of Thrissur.

The decision follows the Kerala High Court’s interim order allowing Dulquer to approach the Customs authorities for the release of his vehicle. After reviewing his application, the Additional Commissioner of Customs approved the release under specific conditions.

According to officials, Section 110A of the Customs Act permits the release of seized vehicles if owners submit the required documents, a bank guarantee amounting to 20 per cent of the vehicle’s value, and a bond ensuring compliance. Though they can use the vehicles, they cannot be sold, transferred, or modified, and must be produced before Customs whenever demanded.

As part of Operation Numkhor, the Customs Department had earlier seized 43 high-end vehicles suspected to have been smuggled from Bhutan and registered in India using forged documents. With Friday’s release, 39 of those vehicles have now been returned to their owners, while four remain in custody, including a vehicle belonging to Dulquer.

Under Operation Numkhor, Customs raided over 30 locations across Kerala and seized a total of 36 luxury vehicles, allegedly smuggled from Bhutan and re-registered in India using forged or manipulated documentation.

In its directive, the High Court made clear that while ongoing investigation cannot be interfered with, the Customs authority must issue a reasoned (speaking) order if the application for provisional release is rejected.