Kochi: The Crime Branch is all set to withdraw the tax-evasion cases registered against South Indian film stars Fahadh Faasil and Amala Paul over the registration of their high-end cars. However, a similar case against actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi would be reportedly pursued.
Both Fahadh and Amala had given fake addresses in Puducherry to register their cars and had thereby evaded tax to the tune of lakhs of rupees, the Crime Branch had found.
The Crime Branch in the report submitted to the court said that it was not possible to file a case against Amala. The probe officers informed the court that the case against Amala would not stand the legal scrutiny as the deal happened outside the state.
Fahadh has already paid the fine over the case.
Registration fraud is an offence that warrantees a prison term of up to seven years.
The Crime Branch had found that Amala had submitted fake documents to prove that she had stayed on rent at Thilaspet in Puducherry to register her Benz car. A missive has been shot off to the Puducherry Motor Vehicles Department, seeking action on the registration fraud, the court was informed.
In its report, the Crime Branch stated that Amala nevet brought the car, purchased in Puducherry, to Kerala. The Benz S-class car worth Rs 1.12 crore was registered in Puducherry. If the car was registered in Kerala, she would have had to pay a tax of Rs 20 lakh. As the tax rates are low in the Union Territory of Puducherry, she only had to pay Rs 1.25 lakh as tax.
As per norms vehicles can be registered in Puducherry only by the permanent residents of this Union Territory. However, the vehicle was registered in the address of an engineering student, whom the actress did not personally know.
Fahadh's arrest was earlier recorded in connection with the case and was let off on bail. Fahadh in his statement in 2017 had said that he was not aware of the tax-related regulations, and that the dealers had registered the cars and brought to the state.
Fahadh's lawyer later informed the court that the actor had paid Rs 19 lakh tax and made up for the losses suffered by the government.
Earlier, the third celebrity, Suresh Gopi was arrested and then let off on bail over similar charges.
