Dulquer Salmaan Luxury Car Case: Customs to Summon Actor Again After 7-Hour Interrogation

Entertainment Bureau, New Delhi Chronicle

NEW DELHI / KOCHI: Malayalam superstar Dulquer Salmaan is once again under the scanner of the Customs Preventive Department. Following a grueling, seven-hour-long interrogation session recently, agency officials are reportedly preparing to summon the actor for another round of questioning regarding an alleged high-end luxury car smuggling network.

According to reports, investigators are thoroughly reviewing the comprehensive statements provided by the actor during his previous questioning. The upcoming summons is expected to require Salmaan to produce additional documentation verifying the purchase, ownership history, and legal imports of the vehicles in question.

What is ‘Operation Numkhor’?

The intensive probe is part of a multi-state crackdown codenamed “Operation Numkhor.” Spearheaded by the Customs Preventive Department, the operation targets an organized network accused of illegally importing luxury vehicles from Bhutan into India to evade hefty domestic taxes and customs duties.

The scope of the investigation spans multiple states, with active leads being pursued across Kerala, Assam, and Rajasthan to uncover the full extent of the tax evasion racket.

Luxury Cars Under the Scanner

Under the purview of Operation Numkhor, federal authorities previously seized four luxury vehicles linked to the Sita Ramam actor. The fleet under scrutiny reportedly includes:

• A Land Rover Defender

• A Toyota Land Cruiser

• A Nissan Patrol

• A second Nissan vehicle that was allegedly featured in one of his film projects.

Following a court directive, the vehicles were subsequently released back to the actor. However, the release came under strict legal caveats: Salmaan was required to furnish a substantial bank guarantee, agree to present the vehicles to investigators whenever requested, and refrain from moving the cars outside the state without prior administrative approval.

Dulquer Salmaan’s Stand on the Controversy

While the Customs Department has made it clear that the inquiry remains strictly in its investigative stage—meaning no formal allegations of wrongdoing or criminal charges have been levied against the actor—the spotlight remains firmly fixed on him.

For his part, Dulquer Salmaan has maintained complete innocence. Sources close to the development state that the actor has cooperated fully, informing Customs officials that all his high-end vehicles were bought through legal channels in India from previous owners. He has emphasized that all transactions were handled legitimately via valid documentation and transparent banking channels, leaving him with no knowledge of any prior import irregularities or forged border paperwork.