Customs raids on luxury vehicles: Actor Amit Chakkalakkal says only one of seven seized cars belongs to him

Malayalam actor Amit Chakkalakkal has clarified that the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi, seized only one vehicle registered in his name as part of Operation Numkhor, which targeted “high-value second-hand cars” allegedly smuggled into Kerala, and not seven, as reported by certain media outlets.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), Mr. Chakkalakkal said he had been using his Land Cruiser for the past five years and that the vehicle was originally registered in India as early as 1999. The other six vehicles, owned by different individuals, had been brought to a garage for servicing based on his recommendation.

Customs officials seized his vehicle on Tuesday and recorded his statement.

Mr. Chakkalakkal said he had submitted the relevant documents pertaining to his vehicle to the authorities.

He explained that when vehicles change ownership, subsequent buyers may not always retain complete documentation that the original owner possessed. “Even officials from the Motor Vehicles department have acknowledged uncertainty regarding records for the period prior to the launch of the Parivahan portal,” he said.

He suggested that government assistance in retrieving such documents on a priority basis would be helpful.

Also read | Operation Numkhor: Smuggling of luxury cars from Bhutan into Kerala to face wider probe by central agencies

The actor also said that a similar inquiry was conducted by the Customs in November 2024, during which only notices were issued and no vehicles were seized.