Discrepancies emerge in Vijay's 2 election affidavits
What's the story
Discrepancies have emerged in the election affidavits of actor-turned-politician Vijay for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The two affidavits, filed for the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies, contain contradictory information about his pending criminal cases and declared election bank accounts, per PTI. The Perambur affidavit, notarized on March 30 in Chennai, states that Vijay has no pending criminal cases against him.
Affidavit discrepancies
Perambur affidavit shows no criminal cases, Tiruchirappalli document lists 2
However, the Tiruchirappalli East affidavit, notarized three days later in Tiruchirapalli, mentions two pending First Information Reports (FIRs). These include an FIR at Koodakovil Police Station in Madurai district and another at Peravallur Police Station in Chennai. The latter case pertains to public nuisance and injuries inflicted by bouncers during a recent campaign event.
Financial discrepancies
Financial declarations in affidavits also differ
The financial declarations in the two affidavits also differ. The Perambur affidavit mentions one bank account for election expenses at Indian Overseas Bank, Saligramam branch, with a deposit of ₹1 lakh. In contrast, the Tiruchirappalli affidavit lists two accounts: one at the same Saligramam branch and another at the Indian Overseas Bank Tiruchirappalli Main branch with a balance of ₹90,000.
Legal implications
Legal experts say rival candidates could raise objections
Legal experts say that concealing or misrepresenting facts in a sworn election affidavit is a serious violation under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Section 125A of the Act prescribes a punishment of imprisonment for up to six months, fine or both for not furnishing information, concealing information or providing false information. Experts say rival candidates could also raise objections based on the concealment of FIRs in the Perambur document.
Asset declarations
Disclosures of luxury vehicles, loans to family members
Vijay's affidavits also declare total assets worth ₹603.20 crore, including bank deposits of over ₹213 crore in multiple accounts. His disclosures include luxury vehicles such as a BMW 530, Toyota Lexus, Toyota Vellfire and BMW i7. He has also given loans of nearly ₹12 crore to his father SA Chandrasekhar and mother Shoba. Loans of around ₹29 crore have been given to his wife Sangeetha, son Jason, daughter Divya and TVK general secretary Anand.
Financial disclosures
Sangeetha declares assets worth ₹15.76 crore
Sangeetha has declared assets worth ₹15.76 crore, including movable assets of ₹15.51 crore and immovable property of ₹25 lakh. She had filed for divorce from Vijay late last month. Within their party, Adhav Arjuna is the next highest asset holder after Vijay. Contesting from the Villivakkam constituency, Arjuna reported an income of ₹11.10 crore for FY2024-25 with a total income over five years at ₹67.57 crore.