Pay Rs 30 lakh tax in 48 hours: Madras high court to Dhanush – Times of India

Chennai News

CHENNAI: It was actor Dhanush’s turn to get the stick from the Madras high court on Thursday for failing to pay entry tax for his Rolls-Royce car imported from the UK in 2015.
Censuring the actor for refusing to pay up even after the issue was settled by the Supreme Court in 2018, Justice S M Subramaniam directed him to pay Rs 30,30,757 tax due within 48hours and report.
(On July 13, the judge had made certain caustic observations against actor Vijay in a similar case which were later stayed by a division bench).
“Crores of poor and middle-class people of this great nation are purchasing half a litre and one litre petrol for their low-end two-wheelers and they are not choosing to file cases seeking exemptions. While so, citizens enjoying a reputation for importing the most prestigious and luxury cars are expected to pay entry tax to the state, as they are going to be driven on the roads established by the state. Roads are laid from and out of the taxpayers’ money,” said Justice Subramaniam.
On Thursday, counsel for Dhanush sought the court’s permission to withdraw the case. He said Dhanush had already paid 50% of the tax and that he was willing to pay the rest now.
Refusing to allow Dhanush to withdraw the plea, Justice Subramaniam said the petition had been pending since 2015. “If your intentions are genuine, you should have paid the tax at least after the Supreme Court had settled the issue in 2018. But now, after the high court listed the matter for passing orders, you are seeking to withdraw,” the judge said. Noting that Dhanush was absolutely right in arguing that claiming such exemption was his right, the court said, “however, while dealing with the rights of the citizen, constitutional courts are bound to remind the duties of the citizen under the Constitution. When the duties are reminded upon to citizens, they cannot make a complaint that the court has exceeded its jurisdiction by unnecessarily penning down certain points.”
“Constitutional courts are not functioning to simply resolve the disputes by saying 1+1=2. Beyond resolving the issues between the parties, the extraordinary powers conferred under Article 226 is bound to be exercised by the high court, whenever an occasion comes for the development and march of law,” Justice Subramaniam said.
“Wonderful ideas, ideologies, theories, doctrines in numerous judgments by way of “Obiter dicta” (expression of opinion by judges) became the law of this great nation and contributed for the development of our Indian democracy,” the court asserted.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/pay-rs-30l-tax-in-48hrs-hc-to-dhanush/articleshow/85083066.cms