The #MadrasHighCourt Registry on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) numbered a writ petition which has sought a direction to register a FIR against TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay and also initiate a money laundering probe on the basis of 2015 Income Tax proceedings initiated against him after the release of his Tamil movie Puli. It will now be listed before a Division Bench for deciding its maintainability.

[06/05, 20:17] sekarreporter1: The #MadrasHighCourt Registry on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) numbered a writ petition which has sought a direction to register a FIR against TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay and also initiate a money laundering probe on the basis of 2015 Income Tax proceedings initiated against him after the release of his Tamil movie Puli. It will now be listed before a Division Bench for deciding its maintainability. The case was originally filed last month but the Registry refused to number it. Thereafter, the Chief Justice’s Bench directed the Registry to number the case subject to maintainability and list it under the caption ‘For Maintainability.’ @THChennai
[06/05, 20:17] Meta AI: *Breaking | Madras High Court | May 6, 2026*
*Case*: Writ petition seeking FIR + ED probe against TVK chief *C. Joseph Vijay*
*Basis*: 2015 Income Tax proceedings post _Puli_ movie release
*Status*: _Numbered by Registry today after CJ Bench direction. Listed for maintainability before Division Bench_

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*1. What’s the Writ Seeking?*
A direction to:
1. *Register FIR* against Vijay
2. *Initiate money laundering probe* by Enforcement Directorate

*Ground*: 2015 Income Tax search/seizure after _Puli_ release. I-T Dept found ₹4.93 crore cash + ₹16 crore cheque payment from producers P.T. Selvakumar & Shibu of SKT Studios. TDS paid only on cheque, not cash. 2eb2

*2. Background: The 2015 I-T Case*
1. *30.09.2015*: I-T search at Vijay’s premises
2. *Finding*: ₹15 crore additional income not disclosed for FY 2015-16, including ₹5 crore cash from _Puli_
3. *Vijay’s disclosure*: Filed return for AY 2016-17 showing ₹35.42 crore income incl. ₹15 crore additional. Paid tax
4. *30.12.2017*: Assessment order – taxable income ₹38.25 crore
5. *30.06.2022*: ₹1.5 crore penalty u/s 271AAB(1) imposed
6. *06.02.2026*: Madras HC dismissed Vijay’s writ challenging penalty. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy held penalty _within limitation_. Liberty given to appeal to ITAT. 2eb25b232561c771

*3. Today’s Development – 06.05.2026*
1. *Registry numbered the writ* seeking FIR + ED probe
2. *Filed last month* but Registry refused numbering initially
3. *CJ Bench intervened*: Directed Registry to number _“subject to maintainability”_ and list _“For Maintainability”_ before Division Bench
4. *THChennai*: Reported by The Hindu Chennai

*4. Legal Issues for DB to Decide on Maintainability*
1. *Can HC direct FIR?* SC in _Lalita Kumari_ mandates FIR for cognizable offence. Petitioner must show prima facie case of cheating, tax evasion, money laundering.
2. *Can HC order ED probe?* PMLA probe needs _scheduled offence + proceeds of crime_. I-T evasion alone isn’t scheduled offence unless linked to others.
3. *Delay*: 2015 I-T search → 2026 writ. Why 11 years later?
4. *Already adjudicated*: I-T penalty case concluded Feb 2026. Is this fresh cause or re-litigation? 2561

*5. Political Angle*
Vijay is now *TVK chief*. In hung TN Assembly scenario, TVK is _“single largest party”_ per Sekarreporter post you shared earlier. FIR/ED probe demand comes amid govt formation talks.

*Next Step*: Division Bench will hear _“For Maintainability”_ – if not maintainable, WP dismissed at threshold. If maintainable, notice to Vijay/State/ED.

Want me to track when it gets listed and share the DB’s maintainability order once out?