Wed Oct 08 04:09:47 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids across Kerala and Tamil Nadu targeting individuals allegedly involved in the smuggling of luxury pre-owned vehicles and related unauthorized foreign exchange transactions. The raids, conducted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), focused on 17 locations linked to film stars Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amit Chakkalakkal, as well as vehicle owners, workshops, and traders. The operation follows earlier customs raids which seized numerous high-value second-hand cars suspected of being smuggled from Bhutan. The ED suspects a Coimbatore-based network used forged documents to register the vehicles fraudulently before selling them to wealthy individuals. The ED’s investigation aims to uncover the money trail, beneficiary network, and foreign exchange movement related to the smuggling operation. Dulquer Salmaan has already approached the Kerala High Court seeking the release of his vehicles.

**News Article:**

**Enforcement Directorate Raids Film Stars, Seizes Vehicles in Luxury Car Smuggling Probe**

**KOCHI, October 8, 2025** – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted sweeping raids across Kerala and Tamil Nadu today as part of a probe into the alleged smuggling of high-end, pre-owned luxury vehicles and associated illegal foreign exchange transactions. The raids, conducted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), targeted 17 locations, including the residences and businesses of prominent film stars Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amit Chakkalakkal.

The ED’s action follows a large-scale operation on September 23rd by the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi, which seized 37 “high-value second-hand cars” suspected of being smuggled from Bhutan.

“The searches were based on inputs exposing a syndicate engaged in the illegal import and registration of luxury cars…through Indo-Bhutan/Nepal routes,” the ED stated in a press release.

Preliminary investigations suggest a Coimbatore-based network used forged documents – allegedly purporting to be from the Indian Army, US Embassy, and Ministry of External Affairs – to fraudulently register the vehicles in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and other states. These vehicles were then reportedly sold to high-net-worth individuals, including film personalities, at significantly undervalued prices.

While officials visited Prithviraj Sukumaran’s residence in Kochi, no vehicles were seized from the premises. Several vehicles belonging to Dulquer Salmaan and Amit Chakkalakkal were among those seized during the Customs operation that proceeded the ED investigation. Dulquer Salmaan has since approached the Kerala High Court seeking the release of his seized vehicles.

The ED is now investigating potential violations of FEMA, focusing on unauthorized foreign exchange transactions and cross-border payments through hawala channels. The investigation aims to trace the money trail, identify the beneficiaries, and uncover the full extent of the foreign exchange movement involved in the alleged smuggling operation. The case is ongoing.

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