Union Minister and well-known Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi ws relieved by the judgement of The Kerala High Court in the tax evasion case related to buying luxury cars. The allegation were that he had registered his luxury cars in Puducherry even though he resided in Kerala and avoid paying taxes.
Case background
The conflict dates back to 2010 and 2016, when Suresh Gopi purchased two luxury cars from Audi dealers in Ernakulam. The vehicles were registered in Puducherry, known for its lower taxes as opposed to Kerala. The State government alleged that Gopi intentionally tried to evade higher taxes in Kerala, causing a tax revenue loss of ₹18 lakh.
Upon reviewing the case, the trial court found sufficient justification to proceed with legal proceedings against Gopi. As a result, charges were filed for various offenses under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 468, 471, and 420. Additionally, he faced allegations under Section 40 of the Motor Vehicles Act regarding vehicle registration.
Legal Defense
In light of these accusations, Suresh Gopi filed a petition in the Kerala High Court to dismiss the case. His main point focused on how tax responsibilities are understood in relation to registering and using vehicles. Gopi stated that registering a vehicle in Puducherry does not automatically impact the tax owed in Kerala. He claimed that the tax owed is based on the location where the vehicle is used for over a month, not where it is officially registered.
Gopi's plea before the Court stated:
"A vehicle registered in Pondicherry is liable to pay tax in Kerala if used here for over a month. The prosecution's claim that tax should be paid in Kerala based on the owner’s address is contrary to the law. It’s not the address of the owner of the vehicle that determines the tax payable but the usage of the vehicle."
Accusations made by the prosecution.
The defense disputed Gopi's statements, claiming that he used a fake address proof to register his vehicle in Puducherry. They argued that this was a definite instance of forgery and tax evasion, warranting the charges filed against him.
High Court's Order
Following a review of the initial arguments from both parties, Justice C Jayachandran of the Kerala High Court awarded Suresh Gopi temporary relief. The Court considered the case's circumstances and determined that Gopi does not have to appear before the trial court unless otherwise instructed.
Gopi found the interim order to be a major relief as he had been trying to completely dismiss the tax evasion case. The High Court has set the date for the next hearing on September 23, when the case will be thoroughly reviewed.
Conclusion
The temporary relief granted by the Kerala High Court to Suresh Gopi in the tax evasion case offers a brief respite for the actor-politician. Nevertheless, the upcoming hearing will play a critical role in deciding the result of the case. The complexities of interpreting tax obligations related to vehicle registration and usage across various states in India are highlighted by the legal arguments put forth by both parties. The ongoing case is still being closely monitored, as it has important implications for tax enforcement and the legal obligations of vehicle owners in India.
TAGS: Kerala High Court Suresh Gopi tax evasion luxury car interim relief vehicle registration Puducherry forged documents Indian Penal Code Motor Vehicles Act.
