KARACHI: The Office of the Collector of Customs (Adjudication-I) has issued an Order-in-Original (ONO) No. 552/2013-14 against the Sindh High Court (SHC) order issued on 20 December, 2013 in connection with the seizure of smuggled/non-duty paid vehicle i.e. Toyota Land Cruiser, however; the ONO No.552/2013-14 may not be implemented till the finalization of the case by SHC. The government duty/taxes involved in the case stood at Rs4,259,300.
According to the details, the case was constituted by the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation-FBR, Regional Office on 28-10-2013 while the hearing of the case was conducted on 17-12-2013, 13-01-2014 and 18-04-2014. The judgment of the case was held at 18-04-2014.
As per details, a team of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation on credible information intercepted the Toyota Land Cruiser, bearing registration No. BC-6299 near Defence Library Road, Phase-II, DHA, Karachi on 28-10-2013.
The person sitting on driving seat introduced himself as Abdul Rauf and he was asked to produce legal import documents regarding lawful possession/import of the said vehicle. In response, Abdul Rauf produced Registration Book No. B0088678, dated 25-03-2009 showing registration of Toyota Land Cruiser bearing Registration No. BC-6299, Chassis No. HDJ81-0051130, Engine No. 1HD-0118194 and Model 1995 in the name of Naveed Subhani bearing CNIC# 61101-2054955-9.
As no legal import documents were produced by Abdul Rauf, therefore, the Toyota Land Cruiser was detained for verification of its legitimate importation and payment of duty and taxes.
Subsequently, the staff of Directorate General of I&I in order to confirm the legitimate importation of Toyota Land Cruiser has checked the import status through online access to PRAL, database. Resultantly, it transpired that a used vehicle was imported against the payment of duty taxes in the name of Zahir Shah vide GD No.59931 dated, Cash No. 1513 dated 02-07-1998.
In order to verify the chassis number of the seized vehicle, the vehicle was sent to the AIGP, Forensic Division. The AIGP, Forensic Division forwarded Examination Report No.AIG/FD/OR/320/2013 dated 29-10-2013 confirmed therein the present chassis serial (HDJ81-0051130) was fake, digits and the chassis frame was welded and replaced at the site of original chassis number.
Subsequently, the Collector of Collectorate Customs (Adjudication-I) in his judgment stated that “I have examined the record. It is confirmed that the seized vehicle is tampered one and there are no import documents showing its legal import and brought into country without paying duty and taxes in violation of the Import Policy. Charges made in SR/SCN stand established. The vehicle in question is therefore, confiscated outrightly under the provision of laws as mentioned in para-7 above. However, a copy of Order dated 20-12-2013 issued by SHC in CP No. D-4773/2013 was submitted by DR wherein it has been ordered that “The Nazir of this court is directed to provisionally release the subject vehicle to the petitioner of furnishing personal bond and the original registration book. However, the petitioner shall produce the said vehicle on 10th of every calendar month before the Nazir of this court for inspection. The petitioner is also directed not to create any third party interest on the subject vehicle”.
“In view of the aforesaid order of SHC it was observed that this ONO may not be implemented till the finalization of the case by SHC. The case is disposed off accordingly”.