Earlier today, the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate in Kochi, Kerala seized 36 high-end luxury vehicles in a state-wide crackdown codenamed “Operation Numkhor”. The operation was conducted with assistance from the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), and the Kerala Police.
Multiple media reports mentioned Actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan, son of veteran Malayalam actor Mammooty. But how true is this? Let us break down the facts, and separate them from fiction.
Is Dulquer Salmaan directly involved in Operation Numkhor? Short answer, NO.
Preliminary reports suggest that Dulquer Salmaan could be among the unwitting victims who purchased these vehicles without knowing their origin.
As part of the operation, customs officials conducted a search at Dulquer Salmaan’s residence, according to Dr T. Tiju, the Customs (Preventive) Commissioner in Kochi. This search was also done at the homes of actors Prithviraj and Amith Chakalakkal, among others.
Customs identified two of Dulquer Salmaan's vehicles as part of their investigation: a Defender and a Prado. These were among the four that the investigators expected to uncover. One of the two identified vehicles was brought in for inspection by the Customs authorities. The other vehicle was not brought in because, according to the Motor Vehicles Department, it lacked a road fitness certificate.
Similarly, for actor Amith Chakalakkal, four out of the eight suspected Bhutan-origin vehicles were identified by the Customs team.
The Customs official later clarified that in one of the instances, a vehicle manufactured in 2014 was found registered on the MVD’s Parivahan website with its first user listed in 2005, raising questions about possible forgery. This meant that even if someone like Dulquer Salmaan had to do a background check on the vehicles he was planning to buy, the MVD Portal might have shown him the forged information.
The Sita Ramam and Guns & Gulaabs actor is yet to come out with an official statement on the same.
For now, even Customs officials agree that the investigations have only just started. Summons have been issued for him, along with other vehicle owners, to appear before the Customs department in Kochi and present the necessary documents. The officials will then take his statement to understand his alleged level of involvement and whether he purchased the vehicle knowingly or unknowingly.
For now, it is premature to treat anyone as guilty. For the criminal justice system in India stands on the bedrock principle, Innocent until proven guilty.