The Kerala High Court has allowed actor Dulquer Salmaan to approach the customs authorities for the provisional release of his Land Rover Defender, seized during Operation Numkhor.

The court directed that the Adjudicatory Authority under the Customs Act must take a decision within a week of receiving Dulquer’s application under Section 110A of the Customs Act.

Justice Ziyad Rahman noted that the authorities may impose necessary conditions while releasing the vehicle. The court also clarified that Dulquer can return to the High Court if his application is rejected.

The vehicle was seized after a raid at Dulquer’s residence, conducted as part of Operation Numkhor, which targets tax evasion and illegal import of vehicles from Bhutan via fake registrations. Along with Dulquer’s Land Rover, 11 other vehicles were seized from seven locations in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.

The High Court emphasised that, as the investigation is in its early stages, it would not interfere with ongoing proceedings but instructed that the customs authority consider the application promptly and provide an opportunity for the petitioner or his representative to be heard.

– Ends

Published On:

Oct 7, 2025

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