Amidst swirling rumors, the Enforcement Directorate took bold action by raiding Mammootty’s luxurious property in Chennai as part of an extensive inquiry into suspected luxury vehicle smuggling and tax fraud. This meticulously planned operation, supported by the CRPF, spanned multiple sites across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly conducted a raid on this day (October 8) at Malayalam superstar Mammootty’s properly located on Greenways Road, Chennai. The property reportedly houses the actor’s production company.As reported by India Today, the operation involved eight ED officers accompanied by CRPF personnel. This reportedly forms part of a broader investigation into the alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles, tax evasion and unauthorized foreign exchange dealings. The Chennai property was among multiple locations targeted by the ED’s Kochi Zonal Office across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Ongoing ‘Patriot’ shoot
Meanwhile, Mammootty has successfully completed the Hyderabad schedule of his upcoming political espionage thriller, Patriot, directed by Mahesh Narayanan on the last day. According to Cinema Express, the next leg of the shoot is scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom from October 15. After the Hyderabad schedule, Mammootty reportedly went to Chennai.
Investigation and other film personalities involved
Earlier raids were also carried out at 17 other locations, including residences and business establishments linked to prominent actors such as Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan, and Amith Chakalakkal, along with vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam, and Coimbatore. According to the sources, the preliminary findings indicate a Coimbatore-based network allegedly used forged documents claiming ties to the Indian Army, US Embassy, and Ministry of External Affairs to register luxury vehicles fraudulently in states like Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. These vehicles were reportedly sold at undervalued prices to high-net-worth individuals which also included film celebrities.
Dulquer Salmaan’s vehicle seizure and legal orders
Earlier last month, as part of the same investigation, actor Dulquer Salmaan’s Land Rover Defender was seized by Customs officials during a raid at his residence under ‘Operation Numkhor,’ which targets tax evasion and illegally imported vehicles.As reported by ANI, the Kerala High Court has now directed Dulquer to approach the adjudicating authority under the Customs Act, 1962, for provisional release of the vehicle. The court instructed Customs authorities to make a decision within a week of receiving his application. Go to Source
