The Kerala High Court has granted actor Dulquer Salmaan permission to seek the provisional release of his Land Rover Defender, which was seized by Customs officials during the high-profile Operation Numkhor. The operation, aimed at cracking down on tax evasion and the illegal import of luxury vehicles from Bhutan through forged registration documents, has brought several celebrities and high-end car owners under scrutiny.
In its order, the court directed that the Adjudicatory Authority under the Customs Act must consider Dulquer’s application for provisional release under Section 110A of the Act and issue a decision within one week of receiving it. Justice Ziyad Rahman clarified that the authorities are free to impose reasonable conditions for the release of the vehicle in accordance with the law. The court further stated that if Dulquer’s request is denied, he retains the right to return to the High Court for further relief.
The case stems from a raid conducted on September 23 at Dulquer’s residence as part of Operation Numkhor. During the raid, customs officers seized his Land Rover Defender along with 11 other luxury vehicles from various locations in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The operation, which has gained national attention, targets individuals allegedly involved in evading taxes through the misuse of Bhutan’s registration system, taking advantage of lower import duties there.
While the High Court made it clear that it would not intervene in the ongoing investigation at this preliminary stage, it emphasized the need for the customs authorities to act expeditiously and to provide Dulquer or his authorized representative an opportunity to be heard. This directive aims to ensure procedural fairness while allowing the investigative process to continue unhindered.
In his petition, Dulquer Salmaan voiced concern over the way the media had reported the seizure, arguing that it had unfairly linked his name and vehicle to activities such as smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and anti-national operations. The actor claimed that such associations had caused significant harm to his public image and personal reputation. The High Court’s decision now gives him a legal pathway to recover his vehicle while maintaining his right to defend himself against any unfounded allegations as the investigation proceeds.
