Dulquer Salmaan Faces ED Investigation in High-Profile Luxury Car Smuggling Case
The Malayalam film industry found itself at the center of a major controversy this October when the Enforcement Directorate conducted extensive raids at the residences of several prominent actors, including heartthrob Dulquer Salmaan. The investigation, part of the larger Operation Numkhor, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community and raised serious questions about luxury vehicle imports in South India.
The Midnight Knock: How It All Began
It started like a scene from a thriller movie, except this was real life. On the night of October 7, 2025, Enforcement Directorate teams fanned out across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, targeting seventeen different locations. Among them were the homes of some of Malayalam cinema’s biggest names.
Dulquer Salmaan’s residences in Kochi’s upscale Kadavanthra neighborhood and Chennai’s Greams Road became focal points of the investigation. The raids lasted a grueling thirteen hours, during which officials meticulously combed through documents and questioned the actor about his vehicle purchases. Even the legendary Mammootty’s home in Panampilly Nagar wasn’t spared, though investigators clarified that his premises were searched primarily due to family connections rather than direct allegations.
What Exactly Is Operation Numkhor?
Operation Numkhor, launched by Customs in September 2025, targets what authorities believe is a sophisticated smuggling network operating along India’s borders with Bhutan and Nepal. The scale is staggering. Investigators estimate that between 150 to 200 luxury vehicles have been illegally imported over the years, with some worth crores of rupees.
The modus operandi was clever, almost ingeniously so. Smugglers allegedly used forged documents, fake embassy tags, and fraudulent RTO registrations in border states like Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh to legitimize these vehicles. High-end models like Land Rover Defenders, Toyota Land Cruisers, Nissan Patrols, and even exotic cars like Maseratis were brought in through this network.
But here’s where it gets darker. Some of these luxury vehicles weren’t just about dodging customs duties. Authorities suspect certain cars doubled as transport for contraband including gold and narcotics, making this not just a tax evasion case but potentially something far more serious.
Dulquer’s Three SUVs: The Heart of the Matter
The investigation zeroed in on Dulquer Salmaan when Customs seized three of his SUVs back in September during the initial phase of Operation Numkhor. Two Land Rover Defenders and a Nissan Patrol were impounded from his Kochi residence, raising immediate red flags.
But Dulquer wasn’t going to take this lying down. On September 26, 2025, he approached the Kerala High Court with a petition that told his side of the story. According to court documents, the actor claimed that one of his Land Rover Defenders, a 2004 model, had been legally imported for the Red Cross with proper ministerial clearance. He later purchased it through what he believed were legitimate channels, with all documentation appearing valid.
The High Court’s response was measured. Rather than dismissing his concerns, the judges directed him to approach the Customs Adjudicating Authority under Section 110A of the Customs Act for provisional release of his vehicles. They also questioned Customs officials about the adequacy of their evidence, a significant moment that suggested the court wanted more than circumstantial connections.
The Day After: Dulquer’s Stoic Silence
When reporters gathered outside Dulquer’s residence after the marathon ED raid, hoping for a statement, the actor walked past them without a word. His silence spoke volumes, but it was also legally prudent. In such investigations, anything said publicly can complicate matters, and his legal team likely advised complete discretion.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Dulquer cooperated fully with officials, providing his statement and allowing access to financial records. The ED’s focus appears to be on tracing money trails and verifying whether hawala transactions, illegal under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, were involved in any of his vehicle purchases.
Understanding the Legal Web: FEMA and Beyond
For those unfamiliar with financial regulations, FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) governs how foreign currency transactions must be conducted in India. Sections 3, 4, and 8 of FEMA specifically deal with unauthorized foreign exchange dealings and cross-border payments made outside banking channels, commonly known as hawala.
The ED’s preliminary findings suggest potential FEMA violations connected to the purchase of these smuggled vehicles. Officials are examining whether buyers knowingly or unknowingly participated in illegal payment systems that bypassed formal banking channels. There’s also talk of invoking the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) if the money trail reveals laundering activities.
However, and this is crucial, ED officials have repeatedly emphasized that raids do not equal guilt. The investigation is still in its evidence-gathering phase, and no formal charges have been filed against Dulquer Salmaan or any other celebrity involved.
The Wider Net: Other Stars Under Scanner
Dulquer isn’t the only actor whose name has surfaced in this probe. Popular Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s residence was also raided, though interestingly, no vehicles were seized from his property. Another actor, Amit Chakkalakkal, had multiple vehicles impounded and remains under investigation.
The raids extended beyond actors to include car dealers, businessmen, and suspected syndicate operators across Coimbatore, Chennai, and multiple districts in Kerala including Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Kottayam. This wide geographical spread indicates investigators believe they’re dealing with a well-organized network rather than isolated incidents.
Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor Channels Britney Spears at Paris Fashion Week: A Style Moment That Broke the Internet
The Coimbatore Connection
At the heart of this alleged smuggling operation sits a Coimbatore-based syndicate. Tamil Nadu’s industrial city has long been a hub for automobile trading, but authorities now believe certain dealers were actively involved in creating a parallel market for smuggled luxury vehicles.
These dealers allegedly sold vehicles at deliberately undervalued prices to high-net-worth individuals, making the deals attractive while the real profit came from volume and avoiding customs duties entirely. The scheme’s brilliance lay in its simplicity: use fake registrations from far-flung border states where verification would be difficult, and target wealthy buyers who might not scrutinize paperwork too closely.
Social Media Erupts: Public Reaction
The news sent social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), into overdrive. Hashtags related to the case trended for days, with reactions ranging from shock to schadenfreude. Some fans defended their favorite stars, arguing they were likely victims of sophisticated fraud. Others questioned how successful actors with substantial wealth would risk their reputations for tax savings.
Viral threads dissected every angle of the investigation, with videos of ED teams at celebrity residences circulating widely. The case also reignited broader conversations about tax evasion among the wealthy and the need for stricter border controls to prevent smuggling.
What Happens Next?
As of now, the investigation remains very much active. Dulquer’s application for provisional release of his seized vehicles is still pending with the Customs authorities. If denied, he has the option to appeal back to the Kerala High Court, setting the stage for a potentially lengthy legal battle.
The ED continues analyzing documents seized during the raids, looking for patterns that might reveal the full extent of the smuggling network. Further summons and searches are expected as investigators work to identify all beneficiaries and participants in the alleged racket.
For Dulquer Salmaan and the other celebrities involved, the coming weeks will be crucial. Their cooperation with the probe and the eventual findings will determine whether this remains an investigation into financial irregularities or escalates into something more serious.
The Bigger Picture: A Wake-Up Call
Beyond the celebrity headlines, this case highlights systemic issues in India’s border management and vehicle registration systems. If smugglers could indeed operate such an extensive network for years, moving hundreds of luxury vehicles across borders with forged documents, it points to vulnerabilities that need addressing.
The entertainment industry, too, faces a moment of reckoning. The case serves as a cautionary tale about due diligence when making high-value purchases, especially in markets where documentation can be expertly faked. Even well-intentioned buyers can find themselves entangled in legal troubles if they don’t verify every aspect of such transactions.
Also Read: Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2026
The Waiting Game
For now, Dulquer Salmaan’s fans and the wider public must wait for the investigation to run its course. The actor, known for his thoughtful film choices and clean public image, finds himself in an uncomfortable spotlight that has nothing to do with box office numbers or critical acclaim.
What remains clear is that this investigation has opened a Pandora’s box of questions about luxury vehicle imports, financial compliance, and the responsibilities of high-profile buyers. As the ED continues piecing together this complex puzzle, one thing is certain: the final picture will have implications far beyond the immediate parties involved.
The Malayalam film industry watches and waits, hoping this storm will pass without causing lasting damage to careers built over decades. Until then, the only certainty is uncertainty, and the only statement from those involved is silence.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information about an ongoing investigation. No formal charges have been filed against any of the individuals mentioned. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, Movies Reviews, New Movie Release , and Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
