ED Raids Dulquer Salmaan-Prithviraj Homes in Car Smuggling Probe

ED Raids Film Stars Dulquer Salmaan in Luxury Car Smuggling Case

The Enforcement Directorate launched raids at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu as part of a luxury car smuggling and FEMA violation probe. Homes of Malayalam ED Raids superstar Dulquer Salmaan Dulquer Salmaan, actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amith Chackalacal were searched. The case revolves around smuggling high-end luxury cars from Bhutan and alleged tax evasion linked to an interstate network of auto traders and workshops.

Raids Target Multiple Cities Across South India

ED teams carried out simultaneous searches in Coimbatore, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Kottayam. The raids were conducted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) after customs flagged unauthorised vehicle imports and foreign exchange irregularities. Kerala has been a major focus area, with several car dealers, import agents, and celebrity owners now under the agency’s scrutiny.

Over 40 Luxury Cars Seized, Including Actor Vehicles

Since the previous raids in September, officials have seized at least 40 luxury cars linked to top Malayalam actors. Dulquer Salmaan’s Nissan Patrol and Land Rover Defender, and Amith Chackalacal’s Land Rover, were among those confiscated. Investigators believe that the actors unknowingly purchased vehicles smuggled through fraudulent channels designed to evade customs and registration taxes in multiple states.

Bhutan and Nepal Routes Used for Illegal Imports

Sources revealed that the smuggling syndicate used the Bhutan and Nepal routes to bring in luxury cars such as Toyota Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and Maseratis. Forged documents, including fake letters from the Indian Army, foreign ministry, and US embassy, were allegedly used to register these vehicles fraudulently in states like Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. A Coimbatore-based network is suspected to have orchestrated the operation.

FEMA Violations and Hawala Links Under Investigation

Authorities suspect that the illegal transactions violated FEMA regulations, with cross-border payments facilitated through hawala channels. The cars were sold to high-net-worth buyers, including film stars, at undervalued prices. ED officials are now tracking the money trail to identify beneficiaries and financial conduits. The luxury car market, often vulnerable to tax evasion, remains under close customs and enforcement scrutiny.