KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to release consignment comprising gum copal against bank guarantee on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Sky Overseas against seizing it imported consignment due to disputed valuation.
While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench also issues notices to the customs officials and deputy attorney general and directed them to file their comprehensive para wise comments on next date of hearing.
On 13 June 2020, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioner is engaged in the business of import of above mentioned goods and always fulfilled all the legal formalities according with law and never has been involved in any criminal or tax evasion activities.
He submitted that during the course of routine, petitioner has imported a consignment comprising gum copal and filed goods declaration according with law, however, he was shocked, when officials of the customs department informed that its consignment has been stopped by the officials and valuing of the goods is being fixed under the valuation ruling 1445/2020 dated March 20, 2020.
He said that petitioner approached the customs officials and requested them to release its consignment against bank guarantee, however, they denied and therefore, petitioner is suffering due to illegal act of the customs officials.
Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue, collector of Customs Collectorate East, West and director general valuation as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Petitioner further pleaded the court may set aside impugned valuation ruling and direct them to release his consignment immediately on provisional release and also restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
