Dulquer Salmaan Takes Legal Action: Actor Moves High Court Over Seized Porsche Cayenne

In a significant development that has drawn considerable attention, popular Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan has approached the Kerala High Court, seeking the immediate release of his luxury Porsche Cayenne. The high-end vehicle was recently seized by the Customs Department as part of an extensive ongoing investigation into a suspected racket involving tax evasion on luxury cars, allegedly registered with fraudulent addresses in the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The controversy first surfaced when Customs officials intercepted and impounded Salmaan's imported Porsche Cayenne.

The department's probe focuses on a network suspected of misusing Puducherry's lower road tax rates by registering expensive vehicles there using fabricated addresses, thereby evading the higher taxes applicable in Kerala. This modus operandi has been under intense scrutiny by state authorities, targeting several prominent individuals.

Dulquer Salmaan, through his legal representatives, has vehemently asserted his innocence in the matter.

In his petition filed before the High Court, the actor states that he purchased the vehicle from a third party and had meticulously ensured that all applicable taxes were paid as per the prevailing laws. He maintains that he is an 'innocent purchaser' and should not be held accountable for any alleged discrepancies in the vehicle's prior registration or history that he was unaware of.

The seizure, he argues, unfairly impacts his legitimate right to own and use his property.

The Customs Department, however, continues its robust investigation, asserting that the seizure of vehicles like Salmaan's Porsche is a crucial step in unraveling the wider nexus of individuals and agents involved in the large-scale tax evasion scam.

Officials indicate that the inquiry aims to identify all parties benefiting from such illicit registrations, with a focus on recovering outstanding taxes and penalizing those responsible.

This is not an isolated incident involving celebrities in similar controversies. Earlier, well-known actors Amala Paul and Fahadh Faasil also found themselves embroiled in legal battles concerning their luxury vehicles, which were similarly registered in Puducherry under questionable circumstances.

These cases have collectively brought increased public and regulatory attention to the loopholes in vehicle registration and taxation systems, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and reforms.

The Kerala High Court is now expected to hear Dulquer Salmaan's plea, and its decision will be keenly watched, not just by the film fraternity but also by tax authorities and the public, as it could set a precedent for similar cases of alleged tax evasion involving high-value assets.