In a major relief to Kollywood actor Trisha, the Madras HC on Friday dismissed a case which levied a fine of Rs 1.16 crore on her for alleged non-disclosure of income for the years 2010-11.

Trisha had reportedly declared an income of Rs. 89.69 lakh for the said financial year. However, her revised income tax return filed in 2012 admitted the income to have been Rs 4.41 crore.

The case was preferred by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax. The First Division Bench of Madras HC Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar said that Trisha had not withheld details about her income deliberately.

Trisha had apparently not declared that income because she had received it as an advance for some of the projects she had signed for the future.

When Trisha had appealed against the penalty imposed on her by the I-T department, the I-T commissioner had decided in her favour and set aside the penalty. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal had upheld the Commissioner’s decision.

The I-T department had moved the High Court against the Tribunal’s order.

However, the bench ruling in Trisha’s favour, said, "The assessee is not guilty of deliberate concealment of income and is not liable to be mulcted with penalty under the Income Tax Act.” 

Trisha is among the top actors in the south and has several films in hand. She recently made her Malayalam debut with the Nivin Pauly starrer Hey Jude.