KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has adjourned the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Shabir Ahmed, seeking release order of the oil tanker, which was impounded while carrying 40,000 litre of high speed diesel.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Nadeem Akhtar and Justice Muhammad Faisal Kamal was hearing the petition. During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner requested for some time to submit his comments. Therefore, the court adjourned the hearing for the date, which would be announced according to the roaster.
According to the case, on creditable information, high officials of the customs authorities directed the staff posted at Jacobabad Custom check post to proceed to thul along with two government mobile vehicles and coordination with Pakistan Rangers staffs, both the staff members started to locate the immediate movement of the smuggled HSD oil, in the meanwhile, three oil tankers were seen coming at Garhi Hussan Sirki Village from Balochistan, which were signaled to stop.
The drivers of the oil tankers no TTC-497, JP-8800 and TTC-108 filled with approximately 40,000 litre of oil each, were enquired about the legal documents for the load but they failed to provide to the same. After all formalities, oil tankers with high speed diesel were taken into the custody for further necessary action after completion of legal requirements.
Petitioner submitted that he is owner of the oil tanker bearing Registration No JP-8800 and filed departmental appeal for releasing his oil tanker and department ordered to fine equivalent to 20 percent of customs value of the vehicles, personal penalty of Rs 100,000 was imposed on each of the owner of the vehicles.
However, Model Customs Collectorate, Hyderabad collector filed an appeal before the Customs Appellate Tribunal which was dismissed dated Dec 02, 2015 and after tribunal ordered, the petitioner approached the customs authorities to release his vehicle but respondents are not releasing his oil tanker.
Citing Ministry of Finance secretary, Hyderabad Customs collector as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents to release his vehicle.
