Customs releases most of cars seized in Operation Numkhor

The Commissionerate of Customs Preventive, Kochi, has provisionally released a luxury car seized from actor Amit Chakkalakkal as part of Operation Numkhor, targeting a racket suspected of selling cars allegedly smuggled from Bhutan.

The car was released to the actor recently under Section 110A of the Customs Act by which seized goods are provisionally returned to the owner on production of a bond for their approximate value and furnishing 20% of that amount as bank guarantee, a Customs source said on Saturday.

The source said at least eight cars, either registered in the name of Mr. Chakkalakkal or allegedly imported for him, were seized during the drive. “A total of 46 cars were seized since September and most of them have been released or provisionally released. The cars with an Indian invoice have been released to the owners on completion of verification,” the source said. The provisionally released vehicles have to be parked securely and produced before the agency whenever required.

High-end vehicles belonging to actor Dulquer Salmaan were also seized and released provisionally.