Luxury car tax evasion: Madras high court imposes Rs 1 lakh cost on actor Vijay, makes some punch observa – Times of India

CHENNAI: The Madras high court has imposed Rs 1 lakh cost on Tamil actor Vijay for failing to pay entry tax for import of a luxury car — Rolls-Royce Ghost — from England in 2012. The amount would go to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to fight Covid-19.
Justice S M Subramaniam imposed the cost for the actor’s attempt to evade tax by challenging the tax demand made by the commercial tax department.
Dismissing the plea moved by Vijay, the judge said the actor had largescale fan groups. “Those fans see such actors as real heroes. In a state like Tamil Nadu, where such actors have become rulers of the state, they are not expected to behave like a ‘reel hero’. Tax evasion is to be construed as an anti-national habit, attitude and mindset and unconstitutional,” the judge said in the July 8 order released on Tuesday.
“These actors are portraying themselves as champions to bring social justice in the society. Their movies are against corrupt activities in the society. But, they are evading tax and acting in a manner, which is not in consonance with the provisions of the statutes,” Justice Subramaniam said.
While the common man is motivated and encouraged to behave as a lawful citizen and pay tax and to thrive hard to achieve social justice in the society, the rich, affluent and reputed persons fail to pay tax, the judge added.
If such was the situation, it would be a long way to achieve the constitutional goals, the court asserted.
Noting that non-payment of entry tax by the petitioner could never be appreciated, the judge said the actor should respect the sentiments of lakhs and lakhs of his fans, who watch his movies by paying for the ticket. “It is only out of such money that the petitioner has purchased the ‘world’s prestigious’ car for his personal usage,” the court said.
The court had made these observations with a fond hope that the petitioner and other similarly placed citizens of this great nation would pay their taxes in accordance with law and make our nation proud, so as to reach the constitutional goal of social justice and eliminate inequalities in the society, the judge said.
The court has also directed the actor to pay the tax due as demanded by the department within two weeks, if has not yet paid. The import tax is 20% of the cost of the car.