Days after Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan challenged the seizure of his luxury car by the Customs Preventive Department, the agency has now conducted a search at the residence of veteran actor Mammootty in connection with the same alleged luxury vehicle import racket.
Critics have alleged that the recent seizures by the Customs Department appear selective and premature, carried out without a transparent or conclusive investigation. The crackdown, which has so far focused on Muslim film stars from South India, has raised concerns of bias and selective targeting. Observers point out that luxury cars are not owned solely by actors, but also by industrialists, businesspersons, and other affluent individuals, many of whom have not faced similar scrutiny. The timing of the actions, coming just months before the Kerala elections, has further fuelled speculation that the campaign against alleged tax evasion may have political undertones.
The investigation, sources said, concerns vehicles imported from Bhutan and other countries under false documentation to evade customs duty. Officials clarified that the current inquiry is not limited to Mammootty or Dulquer but part of a wider probe into possible smuggling and tax evasion.
A senior Customs official told reporters, “It is true that the vehicle is registered in Mammootty’s name, but we do not know who was driving it or whether he was inside the vehicle. The investigation will focus on the registered owner for now. Today’s search at his residence was based on specific intelligence inputs.”
The officer added that the matter extends beyond the Customs Department, “This is not merely a Customs-related issue. Several departments are involved, and each will handle its part of the investigation.”
However, the timing and pattern of the seizures — targeting high-end cars owned by two leading Muslim actors from South India — have sparked a heated debate on social media, with many alleging that the actions may have communal undertones. Several users questioned why only Muslim film stars’ vehicles were being targeted in the crackdown, while others defended the Customs action as a lawful investigation.
Customs authorities have dismissed such claims, asserting that the investigation is based purely on documentary and intelligence evidence, not religion or identity. “We are only doing our job as per procedure,” an official said.
How Dept. Actually Works?
There is actual fear in the minds of juniors that orders against revenue may invite problems. That’s why so many orders are being passed in favour of revenue.
As regards threats, it exists in various forms. Direct threats are rare- but not completely absent.
In most of the commissionerates, the orders in favour of revenue are not even examined by the reviews section and are simply accepted. In many case where a revenue favour order has been reviewed by any commissioner.
If we are really serious about removing revenue bias, then we need to change this. The revenue favouring orders should also be examined and appealed against, if found to have been passed ignoring tribunal/ High court decisions.
It is often asked that why is it that the newly notified GSTAT will commence with more than 4 lakh appeals. A very sad situation? The department’s success rate before the CESTAT is less than fifteen percent.
