Actor-turned-MP Suresh Gopi, caught in the luxury vehicle tax evasion row in Kerala, got another minor reprieve as Kerala HC on Wednesday extended a stay on his arrest. A case has been filed against him in connection with forging documents to evade tax while registering his luxury vehicle in Puduchery.
The Kerala high court has restrained police officials from arresting the actor for 10 more days. The court’s move comes after a petition filed by the MP questioning the case came up for hearing on Wednesday. The case will now be heard on Tuesday by the court.
Meanwhile Kerala Police crime branch, investigating the matter, informed the court of a gang that assists luxury car owners to evade tax by registering their vehicles in Puduchery, reports TOI.
Interestingly the prosecution argued in the court that the actor should not be given further anticipatory bail as he has been using his vehicle to commute in the state, reports Deccan Chronicle.
The actor-MP had reportedly registered his Audi Q7 in Puducherry by paying only Rs 1.5 lakh as road tax. Registering a luxury car in Kerala will cost the owner anywhere around Rs 14 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
The Crime Branch of the Kerala police had, on December 1, registered a criminal case against him, under the guidance of the Transport Commissioner Anil Kant.
Suresh was also charged for not paying a fine for overspeeding. It is also reportedly the first time in Kerala that a case for evading tax is registered against a Rajya Sabha MP.