South Indian Superstar Thalapathy Vijay was fined Rs 1 lakh by the Madras High Court for seeking exemption of tax on his imported Rolls-Royce Ghost worth Rs 6.95-7.95 crore. Justice SM Subramaniam dismissed the writ petition filed by Vijay in 2012 and asked him to deposit the money to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Relief Fund.
Vijay Fined Rs 1 Lakh Over Tax Exemption Of His Rolls-Royce Ghost
Vijay celebrated his 47th birthday recently, has been fined Rs 1 lakh by the Madras High Court over his petition seeking exemption of tax on his imported car, Rolls-Royce Ghost. The car was imported from England.
The actor filed the writ petition in 2012 seeking Assistant Commissioner, Assessment Circle, Regional Transport Office and Motor Vehicle Inspector from Chennai and Tamil Nadu government from demanding or collecting ‘Entry Tax’ for his Rolls-Royce Ghost.
What Exactly Happened and how did Vijay Reach out to the Court?
Thalapathy Vijay paid the import duty to the Customs Department as levied under the Customs Act. The vehicle had to be registered with the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Chennai South.
When Vijay contacted the Regional Transport Officer and Vehicle Inspector to assign a new registration for his Rolls-Royce Ghost, he was asked to obtain a certificate from the Assistant Commissioner, Assessment Circle, Chennai, stating that no Entry Tax is payable. But he was informed that the Entry Tax should be paid and on payment of the Entry Tax, the certificate would then be issued.
Vijay’s plea in the court was that extraordinary Entry Tax on an imported vehicle had been imposed and, since he could not use it without a valid registration certificate, he approached and pleaded the court to grant him an exemption from payment.
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Justice SM Subramaniam’s Reaction over the Matter
Justin SM Subramaniam dismissed the petition and asked the actor to deposit Rs 1 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Public Relief Fund within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.
Justice SM Subramaniam said that payment of tax is the duty of every citizen and is a mandatory contribution rather than a donation. The court also was of the opinion that filing a writ petition, avoiding payment of Entry Tax, and keeping the writ petition pending for about nine years, can never be appreciated.
It is still not clear whether the Entry Tax as applicable has been paid by the petitioner or not.
Vijay’s Collection Of Swanky Cars
Vijay has an impressive collection of vintage cars that includes a BMW Mini Cooper, Audi A8 and Rolls-Royce Ghost. On various occasions and events, the megastar has been spotted driving on the streets of Chennai in his swanky and fancy vintage cars.
