Picture used for representational purpose only

CHENNAI: A metropolitan magistrate court here on Friday issued non-bailable warrants against A M Arun, founder of the Vasan Eye Care Group, and his wife Meera Arun for failing to appear before it in connection with pending income tax cases registered against them.

According to the I-T special public prosecutor, the warrants were issued as the two failed to appear before the court despite receipt of summons pertaining to a case for not filing income tax returns for the financial year 2014-15. The Income Act, 1961, provides that if a person wilfully fails to furnish in due time the return of income, he shall be imprisoned with a fine.

The I-T department conducted searches in various branches of the hospital chain across the state on December 1, 2015. During the searches, Arun and Meera admitted that they had taxable income of more than Rs 2.44 crore for the financial year, the prosecution said.

Subsequently, the department served several notices to the duo and pursued a case before the special court for economic offences (II), following which the court issued notices to the duo to appear before it.

When the cases were taken up for hearing on Friday, the prosecution informed the court that the accused failed to appear in court. Recording the submission, additional chief metropolitan magistrate S Malarmathi issued the warrants and adjourned the case to May 6.

There are various income tax prosecution cases against the Vasan Group and its managing director Arun pending before the special court for economic offences.

