A Chennai Court has sentenced actor Vimal to one year of imprisonment in connection with a cheque dishonour case involving ₹4.5 crore, while suspending the sentence for one month to allow him to challenge the verdict before a higher court.
The case stems from the production of Vimal’s film ‘Mannar Vagaiyara’. According to the complainant, financier Gopi had provided the actor with ₹4.5 crore for the project. It was alleged that the amount remained unpaid even after the film’s release.
The prosecution stated that Vimal later issued a cheque towards repayment, but the cheque was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds in his bank account.
Following the cheque’s dishonour, Gopi initiated legal proceedings under the provisions relating to cheque bounce offences. During the trial before the XI Judge of the Court of Small Causes, R.D. Aarthi, the actor appeared before the court and was examined as part of the proceedings.
After considering the evidence, the court found Vimal guilty and imposed a one-year prison sentence. The court also directed him to repay the amount covered by the dishonoured cheque.
Following the judgment, Vimal’s counsel informed the court that an appeal would be filed against the conviction and requested suspension of the sentence. Accepting the plea, the court stayed the sentence for one month, enabling the actor to pursue legal remedies before the appellate court.
