KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has adjourned the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Abdullah, seeking release of 60,000 litres of diesel, which has been auctioned despite court’s restraining order.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Saeeduddin Nasir was hearing the petition and adjourned it for November 3, 2016.
On last date of hearing, Hyderabad Customs State Warehouse incharge had filed a reply in which he had informed that 60,000 litres of diesel and Hino Oil Tanker bearing Registration No TLE-229 have been deposited in State Warehouse by anti-smuggling squad on April 29, 2015. The customs issued a notice under Section 201 of Customs Act, 1969 on May 05, 2015 before auctioning the said diesel and after approval of the competent authorities the same was auctioned for Rs 62 per litre to M/s Kepler Petroleum (Pvt) Ltd.
After hearing, the court had directed the collector to appear in person along with relevant record and prepare explanation as why court order appears to have been violated. The court had also warned that in case he will not attend, the court may adopt coercive means to ensure his attendance.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that officials of the customs authorities had sent a letter to the petitioner dated April 28, 2015 that the subject property has been seized on a belief that it may have been smuggled into Pakistan; however, as it is evident from the contents of the said letter, no grounds of seizure have been mentioned.
Citing Ministry of Finance secretary, FBR chairman, Hyderabad Customs and others as respondents, the petitioner stated that despite court had passed restraining order, the officials of the respondents auctioned the same, and therefore, the court may start contempt proceedings against the contemptuous.
