Bollywood Icons’ Cars in Tax Controversy

In a surprising turn of events in Bengaluru, two Rolls-Royce cars, once owned by Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, have been fined a total of 38 lakh rupees for unpaid road taxes. The vehicles, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Rolls-Royce Ghost, are still registered under the names of these celebrities, although they no longer own them.

Current Ownership and Background

The luxury cars are currently owned by Yusuf Sharif, a businessman-politician from Karnataka. Known locally as ‘KGF Babu’ due to his connection to the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Sharif acquired these vehicles from the Bollywood icons several years ago. Despite the purchase, he did not transfer the ownership on paper, leading to the current tax issues.

Details of the Fines

The Rolls-Royce Phantom, previously owned by Mr. Bachchan, was fined Rs 18.53 lakh, while the Ghost, formerly Mr. Khan’s, incurred a fine of Rs 19.73 lakh. These fines were imposed due to the long-term use of the vehicles in Karnataka without paying the required local road tax.

Timeline and Legal Implications

According to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the Phantom has been in Bengaluru since 2021 and the Ghost since 2023. Initially flagged for non-payment of taxes in 2021, the Phantom was not penalized as it had not yet completed a year in the city. However, both cars have now exceeded this one-year limit, resulting in substantial fines.

Political and Financial Context

Yusuf Sharif is not only known for his business ventures but also for his political aspirations. He contested in the 2021 Karnataka Legislative Council elections from Bangalore Urban local authorities’ constituency. Four years ago, he declared assets worth over Rs 1,744 crore belonging to him and his family. His journey from selling scrap to entering real estate highlights his diverse business interests.

The situation underscores the importance of proper vehicle registration and tax compliance, especially when high-profile names are involved.