LAHORE: The Customs Appellate Tribunal has ordered the release of a Hino Ranger Truck unconditionally that was impounded by the Deputy Director Customs Intelligence Multan.
Muhammad Shabbir Gujjar, Member Judicial, heard the appeal in details and considered all the recorded arguments given by the appellant and the respondent. He decided the appeal with remarks that the department has failed to establish the charge framed on the appellant so the impounded vehicle is released unconditionally to its lawful owner.
The staff of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Sadiqabad intercepted the non-duty-paid Hino Ranger Truck. On demand, the driver failed to produce the requisite documents showing legality of the vehicle so the vehicle was taken into possession under the Customs Act-1969.
After a show-cause notice, the adjudication proceedings were culminated and Order-in-Original was passed with the remarks that vehicle came into the country through illegal route so the same is impounded and declared legal.
Being aggrieved from the Order, the appellant filed an appeal with the Customs Appellate Tribunal on the grounds that Order-in-Original had not been passed on the fact and without appreciation of law. The appellant also produced the documents and his counsel preyed to the court that the ONO is liable to be set aside therefore the tribunal may order the release of vehicle unconditionally.
On the other side, the responded denied all the allegations and submitted para-wise comments to the Customs Appellate Tribunal and requested for the rejection of the appeal.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the Customs Appellate Tribunal set aside the ONO and ordered the handover of the vehicle to the owner.
