Madras High Court Upholds Rs 1.50 Crore Penalty on Actor Vijay for Income Non-Disclosure
Madras HC upholds Rs 1.50 crore penalty on TVK chief Vijay for undisclosed income.
The Madras High Court on Friday dismissed a writ petition filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief and Actor-Politician Joseph Vijay challenging a ₹1.50 crore penalty imposed by the Income Tax Department for alleged non-disclosure of income during the 2015–16 financial year.
In its ruling delivered by Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, the High Court upheld the tax authority’s order, finding that the penalty notice was issued within the statutory time limits established under the Income Tax Act and that there was no legal infirmity warranting judicial interference. The court reserved its order after hearing arguments last month before dismissing Vijay’s plea.
The penalty traces back to a 2015 tax search at Vijay’s residence and business premises, during which officials purportedly uncovered undisclosed income linked to his remuneration from film projects, including a significant portion allegedly paid in cash. Based on the department’s findings, officials imposed the ₹1.50 crore penalty by an order dated June 30, 2022, citing violations in income reporting for the assessment year under review.
Also Read: Madurai Bench Clears Hindu Ritual at Thiruparankundram Stone Lamp Pillar
Vijay’s legal challenge, filed in 2022, contended that the penalty proceedings were time-barred and thus unlawfully initiated. His counsel argued that the statutory deadline for issuing a penalty should have expired years earlier and that the department’s notice was therefore invalid. The High Court, however, accepted the tax department’s interpretation of the limitation period and dismissed this argument, reinforcing the legality of the penalty order.
While dismissing the petition, the court noted that Vijay remained at liberty to pursue further appeals before appropriate tax appellate authorities on grounds other than limitation, preserving his ability to contest substantive aspects of the penalty outside the writ jurisdiction.
The ruling represents a setback for Vijay as he balances his dual roles in Tamil cinema and politics, particularly ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where he has been emerging as an influential figure. The court’s decision is likely to shape public and political discourse around both his legal challenges and his broader public profile in the state.
Also Read: 23 High-Value Exotic Bulls Safely Transported From Bengaluru to J&K by Parcel Train
