KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney on a petition filed by M/s Awais seeking release of its grey fabric seized by the customs officials in a raid over alleged illegal import.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also directed them to file their comprehensive para wise comments on next date of hearing.
On August 3, 2018, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that petitioner is lawful and engaged in the business of manufacturing of textile material and parches raw material from local importers.
He argued that petitioner purchased grey fabric from various importers and stored in its godown which were purchased fully legally imported by the importers.
He said that officials of the customs department raided its godown and seized the entire goods which were stored by the petitioner, without legal authorities. He argued that he was not informed by the customs officials why they raided and seized its goods.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director, Directorate General of Intelligence & investigation Customs, Deputy Director Intelligence and Investigation and others as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary and they have no power to raid and seize such goods without showing reasons that why they are going to seize legal goods.
He also pleaded the court to direct them to release its goods immediately and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in its petition.
