KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the custom authorities to file rejoinder on a petition filed by Muhammad Yaseen, Abdul Ghaffar and Muhammad Saleem against FIR lodged against them, alleging evasion of duty and taxes in the sum of Rs 25.105 million.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Saeeduddin Nasir was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the custom department sought time for file rejoinder; therefore, the court granted time and adjourned the hearing for November 01, 2016.
It needs to be mentioned here that Customs Intelligence-Enforcement Assistant Director Tausif Ameen Gurchani and investigation officer had filed para wise comments, which had been taken on record.
In a reply, Assistant Director Tausif Ameen Gurchani had informed the court that charges of mis-declaration and fiscal fraud aimed at evasion of duty and taxes through misuse of exemption under SRO 326(1)/2008 read with the relevant rules vide SRO 727(1)/2008, were established on the basis of the physical examination and laboratory test of the seized consignment and shortage of imported raw materials observed on physical stocktaking of the bonded premises of the petitioners, hence the present petition is not maintainable and liable to be dismissed.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that petitioners as partners in Essatex Industries, which is engaged in export of the textile fabrics and others made ups of various kinds of imported yarns and fabrics.
The counsel informed the court that the respondents have lodged FIR dated September 21, 2016, alleging therein that on account of credible information, the petitioner imported consignment of 20.716 metric ton of polyester and viscose printed fabrics and was subsequently seized on account of mis-declaration.
