Actor Vijay fined Rs1 lakh for challenging entry tax on Rolls-Royce Ghost

The Madras high court on Tuesday dismissed a writ petition filed by Tamil actor Vijay in 2012 seeking exemption of entry tax for his Rolls-Royce Ghost, which was imported from England. The court said that Vijay, being a reputed actor, should pay the tax promptly.

The court has also imposed a fine of Rs1 lakh, which the actor must hand over for the Tamil Nadu chief minister's relief fund.

As per reports, Vijay had apparently paid import duty for the luxury vehicle. However, he was denied a registration number as he had avoided paying entry tax. 

In his petition, Vijay argued that extraordinary entry tax had been imposed on the vehicle. 

“The petitioner has imported a prestigious costly car from England. But unfortunately not paid entry tax as per the statutes. He filed a writ petition in order to avoid payment of entry tax for the car imported from England," read the court’s order. 

According to the order, Vijay didn’t even mention his profession in the affidavit. 

The court added that since the actor is considered a hero with a large fan base, he should understand the importance of the taxation system.

Vijay is currently busy shooting for his upcoming Tamil film Beast. The film’s title and first-look poster was revealed last month on the star’s birthday. 

While Anirudh Ravichander has been roped in to compose music, Pooja Hegde has been signed as the leading lady. The project went on the floors earlier this year and the team even completed shooting the first schedule in Georgia. 

If the industry grapevine is anything to go by, Vijay plays a special agent in the movie. If everything goes as planned, the film will hit the screens next year during the Pongal festival.