KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials not to finalize auction proceedings in respect of the vehicle Suzuki Every Model 2015 registration no 168557 of the petitioner seized by customs department due to alleged smuggling category on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Have More Cargo Logistics, Karachi.
On May 10, 2019, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also issued pre-admission notices to the customs department and directed them to file their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing. Court also connected this petition with other petitions seeking release order of their vehicles.
During the hearing, Zia-ul-Hassan, counsel for the petitioner at the very outset submitted that the controversy agitated thought instant petition is already pending before this court in CP No D2800/2019 (M/s Overseas Transit Agencies Private Limited Karachi and two others vs the Collector of Customs and others), hence requests that instant petition may be directed to be taken up along with aforesaid petition after notice to the respondents, who may be restrained from finalizing the auction proceedings.
Citing Collector of Customs Appraisement West, East and Ministry of Commerce and Textile as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to direct them not to dispose of vehicles imported under the baggage scheme by way of auction till the decision of the case and also direct them to release the vehicle in question in accordance with the statutory provision of law.
