Sasikala’s Husband Natarajan Ordered to Surrender Over Lexus Case

Natarajan and his nephew can, however, seek bail by paying Rs 25 lakh, the Supreme Court observed.

Sasikala’s husband, M Natarajan

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

The Supreme Court on Friday, 15 December, ordered M Natarajan, VK Sasikala's husband to surrender before the trial court hearing the Lexus car import case.

The apex court also directed Natarajan’s nephew to surrender in the case. However, the duo can seek bail by paying Rs 25 lakh each, the court observed.

The Madras High Court on 17 November confirmed the two-year jail term awarded to Natarajan, for evasion of customs duty on the import of a luxury car.

The court also confirmed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Court 2010 ruling of two-year jail for three others in the case.

In 1994, Natarajan imported a new Lexus car but forged the papers to show that it was made in 1993 and thus evaded a duty of over Rs 1.6 crore.

The CBI had registered a case against Natarajan, his nephew V Baskaran, Balakrishnan, his son Yogesh Balakrishnan, and two officials of the Indian Bank, of which one turned approver.

With Balakrishnan on the run, the case was proceeded against the remaining four who were convicted by the CBI court. They moved the Madras High Court against it.

Income Tax officials recently searched the premises of Natarajan for tax evasion.

(with inputs from IANS)