Kochi: The Customs Department on Friday provisionally released two luxury vehicles seized during Operation Numkhor, including actor Dulquer Salmaan’s Land Rover Defender. 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. 

Sources said a Nissan Patrol found parked in the premises of one of Dulquer’s relatives in Vennala, Kochi, continues to be under Customs custody. Another vehicle was allowed to remain at Dulquer’s garage due to a lack of a fitness certificate.

Customs had seized three of Dulquer’s vehicles in two phases during their probe into the luxury car smuggling racket. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also conducted raids on the residences of Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amith Chakalakkal as part of a broader investigation into the alleged syndicate.

The case alleges that luxury cars were being illegally imported from Bhutan and Nepal, registered in states like Himachal Pradesh using fabricated papers, and then sold across India. Around 200 vehicles were found to be plying in Kerala alone.

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