In a high-profile crackdown, Customs officials raided the residences of Malayalam actors Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in Kochi, Kerala, on Tuesday. The ongoing inspections are part of a larger probe into vehicles allegedly imported illegally from Bhutan and sold in India.
According to sources, the Customs raid on Dulquer and Prithviraj is linked to luxury vehicles suspected of being brought into India through Bhutan by middlemen to avoid import duties. These vehicles were reportedly sold to buyers in Kerala, prompting officials to check the actors’ garages and verify ownership records.
Search teams are examining documents related to the purchase and registration of the cars owned by the two stars. While neither Dulquer Salmaan nor Prithviraj Sukumaran has been accused of wrongdoing so far, officials stated that the inspections are precautionary and aimed at uncovering any irregularities in vehicle importation.
Similar Customs raids are also taking place in Kozhikode and other parts of Kerala as part of the same investigation. Authorities suspect a wider network of middlemen and luxury vehicle dealers who may have used Bhutan’s trade routes to bypass Indian customs duties.
Both Dulquer and Prithviraj are among Kerala’s biggest film stars, and the raids have created a buzz across the Malayalam film industry. Fans gathered near the actors’ residences after news of the operation broke, though the actors have yet to release official statements.
Officials confirmed that further details will be shared once the vehicle ownership checks are complete. The Customs raid on Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran highlights increasing scrutiny of luxury vehicle imports in Kerala.
