DRI and Customs launch Operation ‘Numkhor’ across Kerala to crack down on high-end vehicle tax evasion; multiple celebrity homes and showrooms under inspection.
In a sweeping crackdown on luxury car tax evasion, Indian authorities have launched Operation ‘Numkhor’, with Kerala emerging as a key hotspot. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs officials, in coordination with the Motor Vehicles Department, are conducting searches at over 30 locations across the state.
Among those under the scanner are leading Malayalam actors Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, whose homes were searched as part of the operation.
Operation ‘Numkhor’: What’s Happening?
The multi-agency raids, focused on curbing tax evasion in the luxury automobile sector, are underway in:
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Ernakulam
- Kottayam
- Kozhikode
- Malappuram
Key Objectives of the Raids:
- Investigate fraudulent import and registration of high-end vehicles
- Identify showrooms and individuals involved in evading import duties
- Seize vehicles lacking proper documentation
- Serve notices to owners to produce legal papers
Celebrity Residences Under Inspection
The residences of popular actors Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran were among the key locations visited by officials.
However:
- No illegal vehicles were found at either actor’s property
- Authorities clarified that the operation is routine and procedural
- Inclusion of celebrities is based on intelligence reports, not targeted harassment
Modus Operandi of the Tax Evasion Scheme
Investigators revealed a sophisticated method used to avoid paying taxes on luxury imports:
- High-end cars were imported via Bhutan
- Vehicles were then registered in Himachal Pradesh, where road tax is low
- After registration, cars were moved to Kerala and other states
- Some vehicles had fake or altered number plates to mask their origins
Eight types of luxury vehicles are reportedly under scrutiny, and more may surface as the probe expands.
Customs and MVD Step Up Scrutiny
In addition to private residences, the authorities are also:
- Raiding high-end car showrooms across Kerala
- Seizing vehicles without valid documentation
- Investigating the chain of import, registration, and sale
Officials warned that any vehicles found in violation will be confiscated, and legal action will follow.
“This is part of a larger operation to ensure that no one, regardless of their status, evades taxes on luxury goods,” said a senior DRI official.
Nationwide Operation With Far-Reaching Goals
Operation ‘Numkhor’ is being rolled out in multiple phases, aiming to:
- Prevent revenue loss to the government
- Enforce compliance in luxury imports
- Dismantle illegal cross-border registration networks
Officials emphasized that the goal is not to target individuals, but to clean up systemic tax evasion practices in the luxury vehicle market.
Conclusion: A Message from the Authorities
The inclusion of celebrity residences in the probe has attracted media attention, but authorities maintain that:
- The operation is evidence-driven
- No one is being unfairly targeted
- It’s part of a broader push for tax compliance
With raids continuing in other parts of India, the message is clear: luxury tax fraud will not be tolerated, and even the elite must play by the rules.
