By Tanisha Mohanty
Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s houses in Kochi were raided by the Customs Preventive Wing on Tuesday for illegal imports of luxury vehicles. Under ‘Operation Numkhor’, the customs officials are aiming to identify suspects who are evading vehicle taxes as well, by acquiring fake identities, especially in Kerala.
The Customs officials have asked the Malayalam actors to produce legitimate papers for their luxury cars. Focusing on high-profile people, the crackdown targets over thirty locations, including Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvanthapuram, Malappuram, and Thrissur. The vehicles were reportedly incorrectly registered in Himachal Pradesh and then transported all over the country.
These second-hand cars were also reportedly sold at four times the price. Highly priced vehicles are often part of illegal imports and tax-related crimes. “The Indian law prohibits the import of second-hand vehicles. We have identified illegal importing that involves 10 to 15 violations, including forgeries on the Parivahan website of the Motor Vehicles department and our website,” stated custom officers.
Officials will reportedly serve notices to all suspects after seizing the vehicles. Those who are unable to produce documents will undergo penalisation. Post tax avoidance, eight types of luxury vehicles have been brought in from Bhutan. These automobiles were abandoned by the Bhutanese army and imported into the country through gang smugglers.
The Customs enforcement, operating with the Motor Vehicles Department, is conducting searches in showrooms also. The ‘Numkhor’ operation is a nationwide initiative attempting to eradicate illegal trade, associated tax evasion, and enforce laws accordingly, and is highly procedural in nature too.
The procedure will involve scrutinizing any high-value imports and collaborating with state authorities to ensure illegal automobile purchases and dealings. Furthermore, travel routes and registrations will undergo routine checks. The process is being headed by the Commissioners of Kerala and Lakshwadeep of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate.