KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued notice directly to the petitioner and adjourned the case while hearing a constitutional petition filed by Sheikh Ali Habib against seizure of consignment comprising synthetic organic dyestuff classifiable of Indian origin Sanchi Super Blue.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Anwar Hussain was hearing the petition.
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel stated that petitioner is an importer, exporter, trader and wholesaler of dyes and chemicals. He imported three consignments of synthetic organic dyestuff classifiable of Indian origin Sanchi Super Blue brand from M/s Oswel Udhyog of Mumbai, India and filed goods declaration dated July 7, 2014.
According to the petitioner, however, officials of Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation confiscated the consignment on the pretext that the petitioner had mis-declared its origin on goods declaration and that subject consignment had actually been smuggled from India upon which the petitioner had evaded import duty and taxes amounting to Rs 688,294.
Citing Revenue Division secretary, Customs Intelligence director, seizing officer, Collectorate of Customs Adjudication -II additional collector as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the SHC may declare the act of the respondents malafide, unjustified, illegal. He also pleaded the court may direct the respondents to release the consignment and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.
