If you’re driving around in a super swanky and super expensive Rolls Royce, and you’re a widely popular public figure, getting called out by a High Court Judge is the last thing you want to deal with.

© Twitter/actorvijay

Unfortunately for Vijay Chandrasekhar, also known as Thalapthy Vijay by his ardent fans, that is exactly what has happened. 

© Twitter/actorvijay

Back in 2012, Thalapathy Vijay bought and imported a Rolls Royce that was worth Rs 5 Crores back then. Along with the usual import duties and customs, customers usually have to pay an entry tax when they get their cars imported. 

© Twitter/actorvijay

Vijay had filed a petition under the name C Joseph Vijay challenging the demand for payment of the entry tax by transport authorities to register his imported car, even after paying duty to the customs department.

© Twitter/actorvijay

The judge had a number of issues. Firstly, as per the judge, Vijay hadn’t mentioned his profession in the affidavit that he had filed. It was only after his lawyer was asked about his client did the judge get to know that it was indeed Vijay the actor with whom he was dealing.

The Madras High Court blasted Vijay’s counsel at that point, stating that his client was going against statutes despite being a reputed actor whom fans often see as “real hero”. He then ordered Vijay to pay the entry tax as demanded by the authorities and further imposed a fine of Rs 1 Lakh on the actor.

© Twitter/actorvijay

The judge then went on to say that what Vijay was trying to do amounts to tax evasion and that such activities are anti-nationalistic in nature, and that as an actor who has a massive fan following, he should be setting a better example.

The High Court judge went on to say, “These actors portray themselves as champions of social justice, but evade tax and act in a manner that is not in consonance with provisions of the statutes.” He further added, “The constitutional goal of social justice can be achieved only if people of such stature pay taxes punctually and act as real heroes in their life. Accumulation of wealth or possessing a prestigious car would not be of any assistance for a better life.”  

© Twitter/actorvijay

The judge ended his remarks by stating, “A person paying tax punctually and promptly is to be considered a real hero.”

Vijay’s team in the meanwhile has claimed that since the actor is busy with a shoot, he hasn’t been able to go through the court order, and hence won’t be able to comment on the issue.

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