Walk the Talk: HC imposes Rs 1 lakh fine on actor Vijay for challenging entry tax for Rolls Royce

Dismissing a writ petition of reigning Kollywood filmstar Vijay, challenging the payment of mandatory entry tax for an imported Rolls Royce Ghost, Madras High Court awarded a penalty of Rs one lakh, as cost, to be paid to the Chief Minister's Covid Relief Fund. Justice SM Subramaniam also gave a piece of advice to the actor, telling him to lead by example in paying taxes promptly rather than trying to evade it, writes ETV Bharat's Chennai Bureau Chief, MC Rajan.

Chennai:Act as a real hero in life, not on reel alone, Madras High Court told popular actor Vijay, dismissing a petition seeking exemption from entry tax for his Rolls Royce Ghost car, imported from England and awarding a fine of Rs one lakh as cost. Directing the actor to pay the entry tax within two weeks, Justice SM Subramanian also ordered that the penalty should be paid to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Covid Relief Fund within a fortnight.

The legal fight to circumvent payment of entry tax has come as a setback for Vijay, who has donned the roles of a crusader taking on the establishment and championing the cause of the poor. His recent movies, including the latest blockbuster 'Master', are about cleansing the system. Earlier, 'Mersal' and 'Sarkar' landed in a controversy over criticism of demonetisation and GST.

In his petition, Vijay, reportedly the highest-paid hero in the Tamil film industry, had contended that extraordinary entry tax had been imposed on his Ghost model Rolls Royce, which was lying unused because of non-issuance of the certificate from the authorities. Hence, he sought a waiver of the same.

Before giving a piece of his mind, the Judge pulled up the petitioner for not even mentioning his profession and leaving it blank. “... the learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner is a reputed cine actor.... it is surprising to note that the petitioner has not even stated his profession or occupation in his affidavit. The affidavit is blank in respect of these particulars,” reads the order.

The Judge made it clear that being a reputed actor, Vijay was expected to pay the tax promptly and punctually since it is a mandatory contribution not a voluntary payment or donation. “Filing a writ petition, avoiding payment of Entry Tax and keeping the writ petition for about nine years, can never be appreciated,” the Court said.

Further, the Judge came down heavily on actors portraying themselves as champions to bring social justice in the society and their films taking on corruption. “But, they are evading tax and acting in a manner, which is not in consonance with the provisions of the statutes,” he said adding that the constitutional goal of social justice can be achieved only if people of such stature pay the tax punctually and 'act as real heroes in their lives.'

Turning philosophical, Justice Subramaniam said, “Accumulation of wealth or possessing the world's prestigious car, Rolls Royce, would not be of any assistance for a better life in our great nation, as our country is enriched with culture and social values... and the petitioner has not respected nor responded to the lakhs and lakhs of his fans, who have paid for viewing his movies and from and out of such money, the petitioner/Actor purchased the worlds prestigious car for his personal use. The reputed persons of this great nation should realise that the money reaching them is from the poor man's blood ...their hard-earned money and not from the sky,” the order reads.

Vijay receiving the Court's rap has not gone down well with his supporters and fans, who took to Twitter to express solidarity with the actor and urging to go in for an appeal.