Dulquer Salmaan Luxury Car Smuggling Case: Malayalam Actor To Be Questioned Again by Customs After 7-Hour Investigation – Report
Malayalam superstar Dulquer Salmaan faces further Customs questioning in Kochi following a 7-hour interrogation on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in the 'Operation Numkhor' luxury car smuggling case. The probe targets illegal high-end vehicle imports from Bhutan to evade duties.
Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan finds himself under the scanner again as the Customs Preventive Commissionerate in Kochi prepares to summon him for a fresh round of questioning. This development follows a rigorous seven-hour interrogation that the actor underwent on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as part of the ongoing 'Operation Numkhor' investigation into luxury vehicle smuggling. 'An Absolute Privilege': Dulquer Salmaan Meets PM Narendra Modi as Mammootty Receives Padma Bhushan.
Customs to Question Dulquer Salmaan Again in Luxury Car Smuggling Case
The decision to resummon Dulquer Salmaan comes after Customs officials reportedly scrutinised the statements he provided during his initial questioning, which lasted from 11 am to 6 pm at their Kochi office. Officials have also requested the actor to furnish additional documents pertinent to the luxury vehicles currently under investigation. Sources indicate that the fresh questioning aims to gather more clarity on the ownership trail and procurement details of the seized vehicles as the investigation progresses.
The 'Operation Numkhor' Investigation
'Operation Numkhor' is a comprehensive nationwide crackdown initiated by the Customs and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence against the alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles from Bhutan and Nepal into India. The syndicate is believed to be evading substantial customs duties by utilising forged registration records and fabricated ownership documents. The operation, which began with raids in September 2025, has already led to the seizure of numerous high-value vehicles suspected to have entered India illegally.
Authorities had previously seized four luxury SUVs linked to Dulquer Salmaan as part of this probe. These include a Land Rover Defender, a Toyota Land Cruiser, and a Nissan Patrol, the latter reportedly used in his film Lucky Baskhar. While Salmaan has secured the provisional release of some of these vehicles, the investigation into their acquisition and import status continues.
Actor's Stance and Previous Scrutiny
During his seven-hour questioning on July 1, Dulquer Salmaan reportedly maintained that all the vehicles were purchased through legal channels. He asserted that he had no knowledge if any of them were originally smuggled into India from Bhutan. The actor has also submitted various documents related to the vehicles to the investigating agency.
It is important to note that this is not the first time the actor has faced scrutiny over luxury vehicle ownership. In 2017-2018, along with other Malayalam actors like Fahadh Faasil and Amala Paul, Dulquer Salmaan was implicated in a separate luxury car tax evasion case. That particular investigation by the Kerala Crime Branch focused on the alleged fraudulent registration of vehicles in Puducherry to avoid Kerala's higher road tax. However, the current 'Operation Numkhor' by the Customs Department deals with a distinct issue of customs duty evasion concerning vehicles imported from Bhutan. Salim Kumar Dies at 56: Malayalam Superstar Mammootty Pens Emotional Tribute, Says 'Your Departure Has Become an Unending Sorrow'.
Operation Numkhor and Other Celebrities
The scope of 'Operation Numkhor' extends beyond Dulquer Salmaan, with other prominent Malayalam actors like Prithviraj Sukumaran and Amit Chakkalakkal also reportedly under investigation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also became involved in October 2025, conducting raids at the residences of Dulquer and Prithviraj to examine financial transactions related to the seized vehicles. The ongoing investigation highlights a concerted effort by various agencies to dismantle the alleged smuggling racket and recover significant revenue losses to the exchequer.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 03, 2026 11:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
