Customs raids on Prithviraj, Dulquer Salmaan: How 'Bhutanese' luxury cars found their way into India | MODUS OPERANDI

Two vehicles belonging to Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan were seized by the Customs Preventive Commissionerate after a raid based on intelligence that luxury cars were being smuggled into the country from Bhutan. Another 11 vehicles, from seven different locations, were seized from the Kozhikode and Malapuram districts. 

The raids were part of Operation Numkhor (Bhutanese for ‘vehicle’), based on intelligence that Malayalam film stars had acquired vehicles that were illegally imported from Bhutan. The cars were being sold in a racket to many celebrities across the country at elevated prices.

An officer from Customs told THE WEEK, “Intelligence agencies suggest that high-end cars are being brought into Bhutan and from there moved into India through various routes. From Bhutan, if you get a permit, you can drive a vehicle into India.

Imports of second-hand cars into India are prohibited, except under the Transfer of Residence (TR) rule, and that too with a hefty tariff. New cars also attract heavy tariffs. Imported cars can only come under TR through specified ports.

So these high-end cars are being brought illegally through the Bhutan border. Based on documents, we are finalising how many vehicles were brought in and when"

The racket was first discovered by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and has been shared with the Motor Vehicles Department.

During the raids, Customs identified 8–12 other violations across departments. These include forgery of documents, misuse of seals of prestigious Indian institutions, and tampering of the Parivahan website. “So it’s not just a Customs issue—it involves several other aspects,” the officer said.

The Bhutanese vehicles entering India should ideally return. However, what’s happening is that the provision is being misused to transport vehicles and sell  them in India.

In Kerala alone, Customs estimates that 150–200 vehicles have entered through this route. Searches are ongoing at more than 30 locations across five districts.

Customs are also checking whether additional violations are involved in cases linked to celebrities. “We need to examine individual documents before making conclusions,” said the officer.

The vehicles are said to have been abandoned by the Royal Bhutan Army and include Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, Tata SUVs, and Mahindra-Tata trucks. Officials said that some cars were sold for up to ₹40 lakh.

Many of the vehicles were under the HP-52 registration number in Himachal. The cars were sold in Kerala with a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the registration authority and were registered and given KL numbers.

“It will take time to quantify the number and value of the vehicles,” the officer added. “Many are refurbished or antique cars, which are very costly. Since this is a layered scheme involving multiple departments, coordination with other agencies is already in place.”

Actor Prithviraj’s home, located in Thevara, Kochi was also raided as part of the operation. Reports say that the officers returned from the location as they did not find anything.

The raids are also being carried out at the homes of industrialists, middlemen, and some vehicle showrooms.

(With inputs from Nirmal Jovial)