Kochi: The Customs Department has unveiled significant new details concerning the illegal import and registration of vehicles from Bhutan into India. Customs Commissioner T. Tiju informed the media that prominent individuals, including Malayalam film actors, are implicated in the use of these illegally imported vehicles, and they will be summoned for questioning.
Customs officials have already seized two such vehicles linked to actor Dulquer Salmaan. Commissioner Tiju also mentioned that a similar vehicle is registered under the name of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, though it has not yet been located. Additionally, two vehicles belonging to actor Amit Chakkalakkal are among those confiscated by Customs. The Commissioner abruptly concluded the press conference mid-statement due to an incoming phone call.
**Fraudulent Practices Exposed**
The Commissioner disclosed that the registration of these illegally imported vehicles involved the fabrication of documents, including those under the guise of the Indian Army and the American Embassy. Furthermore, the M-Parivahan website was manipulated to facilitate these fraudulent registrations. Approximately 200 such vehicles have reportedly made their way into Kerala. On the day of the announcement, Customs seized 36 of these vehicles during extensive raids conducted at over 30 locations across the state. Commissioner Tiju emphasized that these inspections and seizures were based on clear evidence that the vehicles were not imported through legitimate channels.
**No Option for Fine-Based Settlement**
Indian law prohibits the import of second-hand vehicles into the country. Only personal vehicles that have been used abroad for a minimum of three years are permitted for import, subject to tax payment. However, the seized vehicles were illegally brought in as second-hand vehicles from Bhutan, making their import unlawful. Consequently, the Commissioner clarified that the cases cannot be settled by merely paying a fine.
Summons will be issued to the implicated actors, requiring them to present themselves in person with the relevant vehicle documents. Authorities will investigate whether these irregularities in vehicle import occurred with the actors’ knowledge, and future legal actions will be determined based on these findings. Customs is also probing whether the cross-border smuggling of these vehicles is linked to money laundering activities. If necessary, the case will be transferred to other investigating agencies. The Commissioner acknowledged the full cooperation received from the State Anti-Terrorist Squad and the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) during the raids conducted in Kerala.
**Coimbatore-Based Syndicate Identified**
The investigation reportedly commenced after Customs received information about a Coimbatore-based syndicate. The Commissioner explained that the lower tax rates in Bhutan make it cheaper to import vehicles from there. Various methods are employed, including dismantling vehicles and bringing them in as parts. There are also instances where individuals travel to Bhutan as tourists, abandon their vehicles there, and then arrange for their illicit return to India.
Many purchasers of these vehicles lack proper documentation for their payments, with a significant number of transactions reportedly conducted through illicit channels. Preliminary investigations indicate that approximately 90 percent of the smuggled vehicles do not have a traceable first owner. Inspections at second-hand car showrooms have also uncovered instances of GST evasion. Alarmingly, many of these vehicles operating on Kerala’s roads lack valid fitness certificates or insurance, the Commissioner added.