Ent tax: HC directs TN Principal Secy to reply within a week

The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to reply within a week a contempt petition filed regarding collection of entertainment tax despite exemption granted for Rajinikant starrer "Kochadaiiyaan".
Originally a writ petition was filed in the court challenging the exemption from entertainment tax. The Summer Vacation bench, before which the matter came up, in its order said exemption granted was valid and directed exhibitors not to collect the entertainment tax.
But advocate S Muthiah filed a contempt petition in the court today stating that in spite of the order, barring the Devi Group of Theatres all other theatres exhibiting the movie were collecting the entertainment tax.

Noting that the officials of Commercial Taxes Department were bound to follow the court order, he said he sent a legal notice for which there was no response following which a contempt petition was filed.
The First Bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh, directed the Principal Secretary, Commercial taxes department to submit his reply within a week.