The world of Malayalam cinema has been rocked by a significant development as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive, prolonged raids at premises connected to prominent actors Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, along with actor Amit Chakkalackal. The crackdown, which reportedly lasted over 13 hours, is part of an intensifying investigation into an alleged high-end luxury car smuggling racket.
The Scope of the Operation: FEMA Violations and Forged Documents
The searches, carried out on Wednesday, spanned 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The operation falls under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), primarily focusing on suspected violations related to the illegal import and registration of luxury vehicles. High-end models, including Land Cruisers, Defenders, and Maseratis, are alleged to have been brought into the country through the India–Bhutan and India–Nepal routes, bypassing standard customs procedures and evading substantial duties.
The ED’s action follows a preceding investigation by the Customs Department, famously dubbed 'Operation Numkhor.' Preliminary findings indicate a sophisticated, Coimbatore-based syndicate at the heart of the scam. This network allegedly utilized forged documents, including those purportedly issued by institutions like the Indian Army and the US Embassy, to secure fraudulent registrations for these imported vehicles in states like Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. These cars were then allegedly sold to high-net-worth individuals, including film personalities, at significantly undervalued prices.
Tracing the Money Trail: The PMLA Dimension
The investigation goes beyond mere customs evasion. The ED suspects that the transactions related to the smuggled cars involve unauthorized foreign exchange dealings and cross-border payments facilitated through hawala channels, constituting prima facie violations of FEMA.
Crucially, sources suggest that the Enforcement Directorate is poised to register a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This escalation is a major turning point, as a PMLA case would allow the agency to aggressively trace the complete financial trail, including the sources and movement of funds used in purchasing these cars. The probe would then focus on whether the money used originated from illegal activities, potentially expanding the ambit of the investigation dramatically.
High-Profile Premises and Judicial Context
The ED searches notably included a property in Chennai linked to veteran superstar Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan’s father. Officials have clarified that the search at Mammootty’s premises was in connection with the probe against his son.
This development follows a related legal challenge where Dulquer Salmaan had recently approached the Kerala High Court concerning the seizure of one of his luxury vehicles by Customs during the earlier ‘Operation Numkhor’ raids. While neither Dulquer Salmaan nor Prithviraj Sukumaran has been formally charged with wrongdoing, the ongoing investigation highlights a concerted effort by central agencies to dismantle the alleged syndicate and scrutinize the financial dealings of high-profile buyers associated with it. The film industry, and the public, are now keenly watching to see how this multi-agency probe unfolds.
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