Overview

• The Land Rover Defender was seized in Kochi during Operation Numkhor, a probe into alleged irregular imports and forged registrations of luxury cars.
• Salmaan was told to file his request before the Additional Commissioner of Customs, who must hear him or his representative and decide within seven days.
• Any refusal must be issued as a speaking order that addresses the evidence and arguments placed on record.
• The court noted the investigation remains at an early stage and declined to assess the merits, focusing only on the mechanism for temporary release.
• In his petition, Salmaan said he bought the SUV in good faith from Aarpee Promoters about five years ago, paid through bank transactions, and filed documents indicating the ICRC in New Delhi as the original importer.