The Madras High Court has issued notices to actor-politician Vijay and the Election Commission of India (ECI) following a petition alleging a significant discrepancy in the asset declaration of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief. The plea, filed by a concerned citizen, claims there is a "₹100 crore gap" between the income reported in Vijay's election affidavit and his actual financial holdings and earnings.
The petitioner alleges that the actor suppressed vital information regarding certain properties and high-value investments in his mandatory disclosure filed during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. According to the petition, a comparison of public records and known professional contracts suggests that the valuation provided in the affidavit significantly underrepresents the candidate's net worth. The plea argues that such omissions mislead voters and violate the transparency requirements mandated by the Representation of the People Act.
A division bench of the High Court, while taking cognizance of the matter, observed that the integrity of the electoral process relies on the accuracy of candidate disclosures. The Court has directed Vijay to file a detailed response addressing the specific allegations of asset suppression. Simultaneously, the ECI has been asked to clarify its protocol for verifying the financial details provided by high-profile candidates and the steps taken to investigate complaints of affidavit discrepancies.
Legal representatives for the actor have indicated that the allegations are politically motivated and based on an incorrect interpretation of financial documents. They maintain that all assets were disclosed in accordance with the prescribed guidelines and that the "gap" cited by the petitioner is a result of different accounting methods and valuation timelines.
The ECI, on its part, is expected to submit a report on whether a preliminary inquiry into the matter is already underway. Under current election laws, filing a false affidavit or concealing assets can lead to severe consequences, including the possibility of disqualification or criminal prosecution, if the nondisclosure is found to be substantial and intentional.
The case has drawn significant attention across Tamil Nadu, given Vijay's high-profile entry into the political arena. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for late May 2026, by which time all parties are required to submit their formal counters. This development underscores the increasing judicial scrutiny on the financial transparency of celebrities transitioning into public office.