Chennai, July 13(BPNS)
The Madras High court imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on Tamil Super Star Vijay for failing to pay entry tax for the import of a Rolls Royce, Ghost Car from England in 2012.
Justice S.M. Subramaniam imposed the cost on the actor’s attempt to evade tax while importing his luxury car. The cost of Rs 1 lakh would go to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund. The July 8 order was released on Tuesday.
The court also directed the actor to pay the tax due as demanded by the department within two weeks if it is not paid till now. It is to be noted that the import tax is 20% of the cost of the car.
While dismissing the plea of the Super Star, Justice Subramaniam said, “The actor has large scale fan following and fans see such stars as real heroes and in a state like Tamil Nadu where such stars have become rulers, the stars should not behave like “reel heroes”.”
Lashing out against Vijay, Justice Subramaniam said, “Tax evasion is to be construed as an anti national habit, attitude and mindset and unconstitutional”.
The Judge also said that actors like Vijay are behaving like champions to bring social justice in the society and that most of their moves are against corruption in the society. Justice Subramaniam said, “However they are evading tax and acting in a manner which is not in consonance with the provisions of the statutes.”
The judge said that the non-payment of entry tax by the petitioner could never be appreciated and said that the actor should respect the sentiments of his fans who pay for the ticket to watch his movies and added that these fans are lakhs and lakhs in numbers.
Justice Subramaniam said,” It is only out of the money paid by the fans that the petitioner has purchased the world’s prestigious car for his personal use”.
The court also observed that the petitioner and other such respected citizens of this great nation would pay their taxes in accordance with the law and make the nation proud. The judge said, “The payment of taxes in a proper manner will make our nation proud and so that the constitutional goal of social justice is achieved.”
