Bombay HC Quashes Warrant Against Arjun Rampal in 2019 Tax Case
In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has quashed the non-bailable warrant issued against actor Arjun Rampal by a local court in a 2019 tax evasion case. The court’s decision was based on the grounds that the local court’s order was “mechanical and cryptic” and that the offence for which Rampal has been accused carries a maximum punishment of three years and is a bailable offence.
The warrant was issued against Rampal by a local court in Mumbai in November 2020, following a complaint filed by the Income Tax Department (ITD) in 2019. The ITD had accused Rampal of evading taxes worth around Rs 7 crore. The warrant was issued after Rampal failed to appear before the court despite several summonses.
However, the Bombay High Court, while quashing the warrant, observed that the local court’s order was “mechanical and cryptic” and did not specify the grounds on which the warrant was issued. The court also noted that the offence for which Rampal has been accused is a bailable one, carrying a maximum punishment of three years.
The court’s decision to quash the warrant is a significant relief for Rampal, who has been facing harassment and intimidation since the warrant was issued. The actor had been seeking to quash the warrant, arguing that the local court’s order was illegal and arbitrary.
The Bombay High Court’s decision is also a setback for the Income Tax Department, which had been seeking to arrest Rampal and recover the alleged tax dues. The department had argued that Rampal had evaded taxes by misrepresenting his income and had failed to pay the taxes due.
Rampal’s counsel had argued that the ITD’s complaint was based on a false and frivolous charge and that the department had not provided any concrete evidence to support its allegations. The counsel had also argued that the local court’s order was illegal and that the warrant was issued without giving Rampal a fair opportunity to defend himself.
The Bombay High Court’s decision to quash the warrant is a significant development in the case, which has been pending for over three years. The court’s decision is also a reminder of the importance of ensuring that the laws are enforced in a fair and just manner, without resorting to harassment and intimidation.
In recent years, there have been several instances of celebrities facing harassment and intimidation by the authorities, including the Income Tax Department. The case of Arjun Rampal is just one example of how the authorities can use their powers to harass and intimidate individuals, without providing them with a fair opportunity to defend themselves.
The Bombay High Court’s decision to quash the warrant is a welcome development, which highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the laws are enforced in a fair and just manner. The court’s decision is also a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of individuals, including celebrities, from harassment and intimidation.
