Vijay fined for tax exemption plea on luxury car; judge says 'be a real life hero'
Expressing strong displeasure over the actor seeking tax exemption, the Madras High Court said that 'evading taxes' set a wrong example in society.
FollowThe Madras High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on actor Thalapathy Vijay while dismissing his petition seeking entry tax exemption for UK-imported luxury cars.
Calling upon Vijay to behave a 'real hero' instead of a 'reel hero', the court directed him to pay the fine to the Chief Minister's Corona Relief Fund within two weeks.
Vijay had sought to challenge the commercial tax department's levy on the import of his Rolls Royce Ghost from England in 2012. The import tax is 20% of the cost of the vehicle.
Expressing strong displeasure over the actor seeking tax exemption, the Madras High Court said that 'evading taxes' set a wrong example in society.
Madras HC Justice S M Subramaniam said that the actor had large-scale fan groups who view him as a real hero.
Actors had risen as rulers in Tamil Nadu, and people are under the impression that they are real heroes, he said, adding that hence, they are not expected to behave like reel heroes.
The judge termed tax evasion as anti-national and unconstitutional.
He questioned how actors who are portraying themselves as champions bringing about social justice in society and act in films against corruption could seek to evade taxes themselves.
