KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Customs Department and deputy attorney general on several constitutional petitions filed by Muhammad Javad, Muhammad Shahid, Muhammad Arif and others against the raid of customs officials and seizing 612,032 kilogram alleged smuggled/ non-duty paid foreign origin betel nuts (Areca) worth Rs 1.5 billion.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners submitted that a team of customs authorities raided a private godown, Arbaz Godown, situated at plot no A-41 near, police station, SITE Karachi, and seized 612,032 kilogram betel nuts. He said the authorities alleged the betel nuts were of poor quality, infested and unfit for human consumption.
Counsel argued that case was registered against Adnan, proprietor of M/s ABR Enterprise, Khalid Ahmed, proprietor of M/s Anees & Sons, Farhan Ahmed, proprietor of M/s Farhan Impex, Abdul Ghani Ronjah, proprietor of M/s Kiran Food Products, Farheen Irfan, proprietor of M/s Rohain Corporation, Ghulam Mehdi Nayani, Arif Shahban, Mansoor Ahmed Proprietor of M/s Dilwala & Co and others.
He argued that they imported the said betel nuts in accordance with law and fulfilled all the liabilities, therefore, the customs officials have no right to seize their lawful betel nuts, therefore, the court may declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. He also informed the court that allegations of customs officials were baseless.
