**Luxury Cars of Bollywood Stars Face Tax Issues in Karnataka**
Two iconic Rolls-Royce cars, once owned by Bollywood legends Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, have recently come under scrutiny from the Karnataka Regional Transport Office (RTO) for failing to pay state road taxes. The vehicles, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Rolls-Royce Ghost, are currently driven by Bengaluru businessman and politician Yusuf Sharif, known as ‘KGF Babu’ due to his ties to the Kolar Gold Fields, a region popularized by the Kannada film “KGF.”
Sharif is now facing hefty fines totaling Rs 38.26 lakh for operating these luxury cars without paying the required local road tax in Karnataka. Despite the change in ownership, the cars remain registered under the names of the actors, as Sharif has not completed the formal transfer of ownership. The Phantom has been spotted on Bengaluru roads since 2021, while the Ghost has been in use since 2023. Karnataka law mandates that vehicles used in the state for over a year must be re-registered and taxed accordingly. Consequently, the RTO has imposed fines of Rs 18.53 lakh on the Phantom and Rs 19.73 lakh on the Ghost for non-compliance.
Interestingly, the RTO had previously flagged the Phantom in 2021 for tax-related issues but did not take action at that time, as it had not yet been a year since the vehicle entered the state. Sharif, who transitioned from selling scrap to real estate and politics, declared family assets worth over Rs 1,744 crore when he contested the Karnataka Legislative Council elections in 2021.
As the situation unfolds, it raises questions about the responsibilities of vehicle ownership and compliance with local laws, especially for high-profile individuals and their assets.
**FAQ**
**Q: What are the fines associated with the Rolls-Royce cars?**
A: The fines total Rs 38.26 lakh, with Rs 18.53 lakh for the Phantom and Rs 19.73 lakh for the Ghost, due to unpaid local road taxes in Karnataka.