The
Kerala High Court granted interim relief to Union Minister and renowned
Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi regarding a case alleging tax evasion connected to
the purchase of luxury cars. Justice C Jayachandran observed the case's
circumstances and decided that Gopi does not need to appear before the trial
court until further notice.
This
interim order was issued in response to Gopi's plea to dismiss the tax evasion
case. The case involves two luxury cars bought by Gopi in 2010 and 2016 from
Audi dealers in Ernakulam, which were allegedly registered in Puducherry to
avoid higher taxes in Kerala.
The
State government claims that Gopi, a permanent resident of Kerala, fraudulently
registered the vehicles in Puducherry, resulting in a tax loss of ₹18 lakh.
The
trial court determined there was a prima facie case against Gopi, leading to
charges under Sections 468 (forgery), 471 (using a forged document), 420
(cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 40 of the Motor Vehicles Act
(vehicle registration).
After
the trial court rejected his discharge application, Gopi sought relief from the
Kerala High Court, arguing that registration in Puducherry does not impact tax
obligations in Kerala.
He contended that tax should be based on where
the vehicle is used for over a month, not where it is registered.
Gopi's
plea stated that the claim requiring tax payment based on the owner's address
contradicts the law, as tax liability is determined by vehicle usage.
The
Court was also informed that the vehicle was registered using an insurance
policy from Life Insurance Corporation.
The
prosecution, however, alleged that Gopi used forged address proof for the
Puducherry registration.
The
Court agreed to consider Gopi's plea in detail after preliminary submissions
and granted him interim relief, scheduling the next hearing for September 23.
