Import of luxurious car: Madras HC pulls up Dhanush for seeking entry tax exemption

When Dhanush's petition came up for hearing, Justice S M Subramaniam, who had heard Vijay's case and imposed a one lakh rupee fine on him for seeking entry tax exemption, pulled up Dhanush, who sought permission to withdraw his plea as he was willing to pay the tax by August 9.

Counsel for Dhanush submitted that the actor had already paid 50 per cent of the tax and he was now willing to pay the rest of the amount. He also sought permission from the court to withdraw the plea.

Refusing to allow the withdrawal, Justice Subramaniam said, “If your intentions are genuine, you should have paid the tax at least after the Supreme Court settled the issue in 2018.

"But now after the high court listed the matter for passing the order, you are seeking to withdraw."

Slamming the actor, the judge further said, “You are going to drive the luxury car on the roads laid using the taxpayers' money. Even a milk vendor and a daily wage labourer are paying taxes for every litre of petrol they buy. No such person approaches the court seeking exemption from such taxes. At least, I have not seen such a plea in my experience.

"No doubt that it is your right to move the court. But you should have paid the tax and withdrawn the petition at least after the Supreme Court had settled the issue in 2018."

The judge questioned why the actor was unwilling to pay tax though he was capable of buying a luxurious car, while adding that no such requests were made by ordinary people.

The court also reminded Dhanush that law treated everyone equally, including those who earned in crores.

The judge hurled a series of questions at Dhanush, including why he did not disclose his profession as an actor, and directed him to pay the taxes.