KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has restrained the customs authorities from taking any coercive measures against Syeda Sardar Bano, manufacturer of the pharmaceutical and medicinal products.
The court took the action on a constitutional petition filed by the petitioner, seeking restraining order for attachment of her bank accounts for recovery of disputed amount.
While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also directed them to file their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing.
Earlier, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated tax authority passed an order for recovery of disputed amount and being aggrieved she filed an appeal along with stay application before the Commissioner Appeals-III which was pleased to grant stay application for a period of 10 days, which expired on 27/05/2017 and in respondents have recovered an amount of around Rs3 million through attachment of bank accounts.
He further submitted that there is apprehension that during pendency of appeal, the respondents will enforce the recovery of the balance amount by adopting coercive measures for the bank accounts.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals-III, Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Range-I, Corporate RTO, Officer Inland Revenue Enforcement & Collection-01, Zone-V, Corporate RTO Karachi as respondents, counsel pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary and restrain them from taking any coercive measures till final disposal of her appeal.
She also pleaded the Sindh High Court (SHC) pleaded the court may also direct Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals-III to decide her appeal within reasonable period.
