KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought comments from the tax authorities on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Farooq Corporation in an alleged tax evasion case of Rs 0.992 million.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Muhammad Humayon Khan, heard the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the Customs Department sought time to submit para-wise comments, therefore, the court granted time and directed the custom authorities to file their para-wise comments on the next date of hearing. The court adjourned the hearing for December 26, 2016.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that the customs authorities issued notice to the petitioner, alleging that petitioner’s company imported baby battery-operated tricycles in the guise of baby trike parts by mis-declaration and gross under valuation. After examination of the consignment by both the directorate and collectorate, it was confirmed that baby tricycle batteries were being imported instead of declared baby trike parts, evading taxes of Rs 0.992 million.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that the importer had fulfilled all requirements and paid all liable duty and taxes, therefore act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and of no legal effects.
Citing Sectary Revenue Division, the Directorate of Customs Intelligence (Enforcement) and Customs Collectorate Appraisement-West and others, importer pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal and mala fide and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.
