Chandigarh: Excise and Taxation department, Chandigarh on Saturday imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on JW Marriott in the city for illegally levying 18% GST on fresh bananas served to Bollywood actor Rahul Bose. Fresh fruits are tax-free under the GST regime.

The fine has been imposed after a video of the actor went viral on Twitter since last Monday (July 22). In the video, the actor states that he has been charged Rs 442 for two bananas.

The Excise and Taxation department took cognizance of the matter and ordered an inquiry into it and when they asked the hotel for an explanation regarding the GST charges, they were unable to provide one. Following the incident, a fine of Rs 25,000 was imposed on JW Marriott for violating section 11 of CGST.

Bose took to Twitter to share a video of his room in JW Marriott, Chandigarh last Monday and then went on to show two bananas placed in a plate beside a cheque of Rs 442. The two bananas he ordered had been referred to as a “fruit platter” in the cheque.

Also read: #MyRahulBoseMoment: Twitterati go crazy as Bollywood actor Rahul Bose receives Rs 442 bill for 2 bananas 

When the actor tweeted the video, he received support from several of his Twitter followers, while few of them criticised him too. The supporters shared how they feel the same at certain situations whereas the critics commented on the Twitter post stating how the actor cannot complain regarding the issue as he chose to stay at a five-star hotel.

Later Twitterati began sharing similar experiences from their own lives with the hashtag MyRahulBoseMoment.