Deepali Kalia-
A Division Bench of Justices S Duraiswamy and R Hemalatha of the Madras High Court on 27th July stayed the Single Bench judgment in popular Tamil actor Vijay’s entry tax case.
The Single Judge Bench of Justice SM Subramaniam on 13th July had dismissed a writ petition which was filed by the actor in 2012.
Harsh observations against the actor were passed by the Single Bench and a cost of Rs 1 lakh was also imposed on him for filing a petition to challenge the levy of entry tax on his Rolls Royce car.
The Single Bench stated, “These Actors are portraying themselves as champions to bring social justice in the society. Their pictures are against corrupt activities in society. But they are evading Tax and acting in a manner, which is not in consonance with the provisions of the Statutes.”
Distressed by the ‘unjust and derogatory’ remarks which were made by the Single Judge Bench against him and the acting community in general, Vijay had appealed to the Division Bench.
Senior Advocate Vijay Narayan, who appeared for the actor clarified before the Division Bench that the actor was not challenging the Entry Tax Demand but the derogatory observations in the Single Bench judgment.
Every citizen in the country is entitled to make use of legal remedies available to him to challenge the imposition of tax and such derogatory remarks made for availing a legal remedy were wholly unjust and simply uncalled for, the actor’s lawyer argued.
The Senior Advocate submitted, “The learned judge has cast aspersions on me (Actor Vijay) by labeling him as an anti-national and has cast aspersions on the whole acting community. Out of 500 other similar petitions involving luxury cars, some even costlier, the case of Vijay cannot be picked out alone.”
Narayan added, “The adverse remarks created a negative publicity. This can be hurtful to any person.”
The Division Bench stayed the Single Bench’s order and directed the actor to pay the balance 80% entry tax within a week of the demand challan that will be issued by the tax department. Stating that he did not desire for the issue to drag on for long the Senior Advocate requested the Division Bench to direct the Tax Department to issue the challan within a week of assent.
Also Read: Madras HC Refuses Actor Vijay’s Plea against Entry Tax on Rolls Royce Car