Among the locations raided are residences of popular Malayalam actors Dulquer Salmaan(L) and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Thiruvananthapuram/Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly carrying out raids at the houses of prominent actors in Kerala on Wednesday.
According to sources, raids are being carried out in around 15 places, including houses of actors Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Amith Chakalakkal.
Officials from the ED’s Kochi unit carried out raids at three of Dulquer Salmaan’s homes and at Mammootty’s residence as part of a preliminary inquiry into the case.
The raids are a sequel to the recent seizure of imported cars by the Customs Department from these actors for allegedly evading Customs duty by importing through Bhutan.
The Narcotics Control Bureau was also learnt to be looking into the suspicions that narcotic substances were also smuggled along with some of the cars.
Raids were also reportedly held at the house of actor Mammootty in connection with the seizure of his son Dulquer's car.
Around 40 vehicles were seized by the Customs in Operation Numkhor drive last month on charges of illegally importing used vehicles from Bhutan by evading the Customs duty. Customs officials suspect that around 200 luxury vehicles from Bhutan were illegally imported to Kerala. A majority of those cars could not be traced yet.
Searches in Chennai
Dulquer’s residence in upscale Greams Road in Chennai was also searched by the ED sleuths along with a few locations connected to him in Coimbatore.
Even as the raids were underway, the ED said 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu were being raided in connection with the ongoing probe into smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles and unauthorised foreign exchange dealings.
The searches were based on inputs exposing an alleged syndicate engaged in illegal import and registration of luxury cars such as Land Cruiser, Defender, and Maserati through Indo-Bhutan/Nepal routes.
“Preliminary findings reveal a Coimbatore-based network using forged documents (purporting to be from Indian Army, US Embassy, and MEA) and fraudulent RTO registrations in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and other States. Vehicles were later sold to high net-worth individuals (HNIs), including film personalities, at undervalued prices,” the statement added.
ED officials said prima facie violations of Sections 3, 4, and 8 of FEMA had been detected, involving unauthorised foreign exchange transactions and payments routed through hawala. “Further investigation is underway to trace the money trail, beneficiary network, and foreign exchange movement,” the statement said.
The operation covered 17 premises, including residences and establishments of film stars like Prithviraj, Dulquer Salmaan and Amith Chakalakkal, certain vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam, and Coimbatore.