Tax evasion case: Amala Paul granted anticipatory bail

Amala, who appeared before the Crime Branch on Monday, denied the charges. Amala Paul reportedly told the sleuths that she had not evaded tax.

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to popular actress Amala Paul in a luxury vehicle tax evasion case.

The Crime Branch had booked her for allegedly forging documents to register her high-end vehicles in the Union Territory of Puducherry. She then moved the court for anticipatory bail. The Kerala HC had then directed her to appear before the probe officials.

Amala, who appeared before the Crime Branch on Monday, denied the charges. Amala Paul reportedly told the sleuths that she had not evaded tax. She revealed that she had rented a house in Puducherry and the vehicles were registered in that address.

The Crime Branch had earlier summoned the actress for interrogation, but she did not turn up.

The cops had said she was allegedly trying to evade the 20% tax in Kerala on luxury cars costing Rs 20 lakh and above. In Puducherry, it was as low as 13.75%, reports said.

Another actor Fahadh Faasil, involved in a similar case, was arrested on December 25 and later released on bail on a bond of Rs 50,000 and two solvent sureties.

A tax evasion case has also been registered against actor-turned-Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi, who was arrested and let off on bail Monday.

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