26 September,2025 05:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Dulquer Salmaan
On Friday, actor and producer Dulquer Salmaan, has taken the legal route to get back his seized luxury vehicles. The Malayalam film superstar has approached the Kerala High Court seeking the release of his vehicles seized by the Customs Department during 'Operation Numkhoor', early this week. In his petition, the actor challenged the legality of the seizure and demanded that the vehicle be returned at the earliest.
According to the petition, Customs authorities had taken into custody one among four vehicles owned by Salmaan, two Land Rovers and two Nissan models. He argued that he had already produced all the necessary records to prove his ownership, including payment receipts, and therefore, there was no justification for the continued detention of the vehicle. Salmaan emphasised that he had purchased the cars by paying cash in accordance with the law of the land, and all supporting documents were available for verification.
The petition further stated that despite submitting complete documentation, neither the actor nor his representatives were being given a fair hearing by Customs officials. He alleged that the records relating to the seized car were being ignored and that the seizure memo issued by the department should be cancelled.
Salmaan maintained that the vehicle should be immediately restored to him since no violation had occurred.
The actor also pointed out that sections of the media had linked the case with alleged "anti-national activities", which he described as misleading and damaging to his reputation. He clarified that the vehicle was legally purchased, and there was no basis for such insinuations. Legal observers believe the case could set a significant precedent in disputes involving the seizure of high-value personal property by enforcement agencies.
Among the locations where the raids--codenamed Operation Numkhorare being conducted are the residences of Malayalam actors Prithviraj and Dulquer Salmaan, they said. In the Bhutanese language, 'Numkhor' means 'vehicle'. The raids are progressing simultaneously in various locations, including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Malappuram.
According to customs officials, pre-owned SUVs from Bhutan were allegedly smuggled into India without paying taxes and sold to businessmen and film industry figures in Kerala. Customs officials said the raids were being carried out after instances of high-end vehicles being brought from Bhutan as second-hand ones without paying tax. There are around 15 such violations, they said. Asked about the raids at the residences of the film stars, an official at the Customs Preventive Commissionerate said the documents of their vehicles are being examined.
