Puducherry road tax scam: Kiran Bedi orders probe, BJP's Suresh Gopi in list

The controversy over illegal registration of luxury cars in Puducherry by the non-residents of the State to evade tax has spurred as the Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has ordered a probe against the evaders. 

There are famous celebrities and politicians who have been forging local addresses for registration of vehicles worth crores in the Union Territory to save the due road tax, The Indian Express reports. 

Kiran Bedi told, "these unethical and illegal acts help celebrities save up to 15 per cent tax in registration," according to an Indian Express report.

Actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member, allegedly registered his Audi Q7 SUV in Puducherry in 2010 by paying the road tax worth Rs 1.5 lakh, Mathrubhumi television news channel claimed.

According to the same report, if he had to register his Audi in Kerala, where the car is being used, he had to pay Rs 15 lakh from his pocket as road tax.To save the few lakhs, the actor has allegedly used an address of a rented accommodation in Puducherry. 
  

However, Puducherry Transport Minister M O H F Shahjahan denied reports of alleged illegalities in registration. 

Earlier, actress Amala Paul had allegedly registered her car worth Rs 1.12 crore by paying a fee of Rs 1.12 lakh. 

Actor Fahadh Faasil had registered his Rs 70 lakh worth vehicle by remitting a similar amount, says  The Hindu. 

“I will be writing to Central Government. The government should know how we are generating resources." Kiran Bedi said after making a surprise inspection at the Transport Department, according to The Hindu.

The Motor Vehicle Rules had a provision to register vehicles by providing proof of temporary address. Using this opportunity, these buyers are evading hefty amount of taxes.