KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the customs authorities to file their para wise comments on a special customs reference application filed by Collector of Customs Collectorate of Preventive against order of the appellate authority in a case of smuggled/ non-duty paid 6800 liters HSD. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the application.
During the hearing, counsel for the customs department sought time to file their comments, therefore, the court granted time and adjourned the matter for two weeks.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that on November 13, 2013 officials of the Anti-Smuggling Organization seized 6800 liters HSD from laden built in tanks of fishing boat Al-Suleman. These 12 tanks were concealed in the engine room of the fishing launch and case was registered.
He further informed the court that appellate authority imposed fine Rs25,000 to owner of the boat, who challenged that order before appellate tribunal which set aside order of the appellate authority without considering law and facts.
Citing Halal son of Khalid, Customs Appellate Tribunal Bench-I as respondent, counsel pleaded the court to declare order of the appellate tribunal as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. He also pleaded the court may set aside impugned order of the appellate authority and restore its order.
