FAISALABAD: Collectorate of Customs Adjudication Collector Raja Tahir Majeed has issued an Order-in-Original (ONO) in favour of the Sargodha Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) in a non-duty paid Toyota Land Cruiser case.
A team of ASO comprising Inspectors Mohammad Munsha, Bashir Ahmaed, Munir Ahmed, Sepoys Atta Mohammad, Mohammad Hayyat, Shakor Ahmed, Asrar Ahmed, Shafqat Mehmood, Ghulam Abas, Mohammad Mansha and Mohammad Iqbal impounded a Toyota Land Cruiser from Canal Bridge Chungi No. 9, Satellite Town, Sargodha after the driver failed to show document regarding legal import of the vehicle.
The case was sent to the adjudication where Collector Raja Tahir issued notice to Khawar Abdul Khaliq son of Abdul khaliq on the violation of Section 10-A. 89(1) and 156(1) of the Customs Act, 1969. The accused were also called upon to show cause as to why the impounded vehicle should not be confiscated under aforementioned provisions of law.
The case record revealed that despite granting adequate and ample chances of personal hearing, the respondent neither appeared personally nor through any counsel nor any written reply to show cause notice was submitted even though post to defend the case. This lack of interest in their defence clearly transpired that the respondent has no cogent ground or certifiable document to prove that legal import of the impounded vehicle.
The collector states in the order, “The owner of the seized vehicle has failed to shed burden of proof as envisaged in section 156(2) read with 187 of the Customs Act, 1969. Hence, all the charges have been proved, so the seized vehicle Toyota Land cruiser V-8 is order to be confiscated under the Customs Act, 1969.