Union Minister Suresh Gopi Approaches Kerala High Court Seeking Discharge In Luxury Cars Tax Evasion Case; Hearing On July 19

Single bench of Justice CS Dias has posted the matter for hearing on 19th July.

The actor had bought two luxury cars from Audi dealers in Ernakulam in 2010 and 2016. It is alleged that the vehicles were fraudulently registered in Puducherry despite the actor being a permanent resident of Kerala, purportedly to evade tax. The State government claims a cumulative loss of Rs 18 lakh.

The Special Court had dismissed the discharge application upon finding a prima facie case against the Union Minister.

Before the High Court, Mr. Gopi argued that registration of the vehicle in Puducherry will have no bearing on the tax to be paid to the State since taxes are payable to the State if the vehicle is used there for a period of one month or more.

"A vehicle registered in Pondicherry is liable to pay tax in Kerala if used in Kerala for a period of one month. The prosecution claims that since the petitioner is having address in Kerala tax should be paid here is against the law. It is not the address of owner of vehicle that determines the tax payable but the usage of vehicle," the petition read.

The vehicle has recently got a temporary registration number provided by an RTO office in Kerala.

There is also allegation that the vehicle registration was made using an affidavit forged with the seal and signature of the notary.

The plea claims that the vehicle was registered using an Insurance Policy issued by Life Insurance Corporation. Further, the affidavit claimed to be forged is dated 18/06/ 2010 whereas the registration was given on 27/01/2010. Thus it is claimed that the allegations levelled by prosecution would not stand.

Prosecution alleged that the Union Minister had forged an address proof to get his vehicle registered in Puducherry. It was pleaded in the Special Court that there is proof that the vehicle was used in Kerala for more than 30 days and it is normally kept in the State though the vehicle is registered in Puducherry.

The plea was moved by Advocates B. N. Shivasankar, Tinu T. Joseph, Sanoj M. A., Megha Mukundeswar, Adithya Kiran V. E., Vishnu B. Kuruop.

Case Title: Suresh Gopi v State of Kerala and Another

Case No: Crl. Rev. Pet. 706 & 708 of 2024 (Filing No.)