Kochi: Actor Amith Chakalakkal has refuted reports that the Customs Preventive Wing here seized six of his vehicles allegedly smuggled from Bhutan, clarifying that the cars taken were those brought to his garage for repair. He said the same vehicles, for which Customs had already summoned him six months ago and verified all documents, were seized again on Tuesday. 

“Only one vehicle of mine was taken by Customs yesterday. That is a 1999 model Land Cruiser that I have been using for the past five years. The RTO officials logged into their portal and checked its registration yesterday. They are now examining documents dating back 15 years. What they want to establish is whether I brought this vehicle from Bhutan recently. Instead, what they should be verifying are the ownership transfers and sale records over the last 10-15 years. I have already submitted all of those. In fact, there are even vlogs about this vehicle from 15 years ago,” Amith said. 

On Tuesday, during ‘Operation Numkhor,’ Customs seized 36 vehicles across Kerala. Customs Commissioner (Preventive) T Tiju had also said that actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan and Amith were among the celebrities who were under probe.  

Amith further clarified that Customs took a total of seven vehicles on Tuesday. “Among them, the Lexus taken from my house actually belongs to a jewellery group. They had brought it to my garage. Other vehicles were also brought here for repair. The owners of these cars have already been informed. I have no other connection with them,” he said. 

Amith also pointed out that in November 2024, Customs had carried out a similar inspection and issued him summons. “Even then, these very vehicles were in my garage. Customs instructed me to produce all the documents, which I did. They also told me not to carry out any repair work. So, I left the vehicles untouched. Only four months ago did I resume the repairs. Now they are saying the same vehicles have been seized again. Customs should make it clear that none of these cars were smuggled,” he said. 

Dismissing reports that he had refused to cooperate with the investigation, Amith said he has been cooperating fully. “The issue that arose yesterday was only between the Customs officers and my lawyer regarding the search warrant. I was not involved in it,” he said.