KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to customs authorities and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s AnM Traders for quashment of an FIR lodged against it on the charges of importing kerosene oil in the garb of white spirit.
During the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yousaf Ali Saeed, directed them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is an import and trading petrochemicals and allied products, such regards imported from Seychelles a consignment 1979.795 metric ton of white spirit and filed goods declaration according with law.
According to the petitioner, he was shocked when he was informed by the officials of the customs department that FIR was lodged against it by customs authorities, wherein, it was alleged that the petitioner in a garb of white spirit had imported kerosene oil which falls in import control policy and violation of customs’ policy.
He argued that allegations of the customs department are baseless and he imported white spirit after fulfilling all requirements.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Director Customs Enforcement Directorate General Intelligence and Investigation-FBR and seizing/ investigation officer of the department as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to quash the FIR lodged by customs authorities restrain the customs department, its officer/ agents and any officer from taking any coercive action against it.
