KARACHI: A division bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) restrained customs officials from any adverse action against the petitioner and also called comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s V.M.Y Trading against enhancement of valuation of consignments of cement corrugated asbestos roofing products from US $ 0.16 to US$ 0.21.
On 12 January 2021, during the hearing, Abdul Sattar Silat Advocate appeared on behalf of the petitioner and argued that the petitioner has impugned the re-assessment order dated Dec 17, 2020, passed by the respondent department in respect of 19 different consignments and the imported consignments in question were released at the rate of US$ 0.16 per sheet and the bills of entries were processed, out of charged, and consignments were delivered.
He further informs the court that now suddenly in computer system, the said goods declaration re-assessed without any notice or opportunity of hearing and even no reason has been assigned in the computer-generated re-assessment orders, therefore, petitioner apprehends coercive measures after the re-assessment orders.
After the hearing, the court issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general and restrained them from taking any coercive measure till the next date of hearing.
Earlier, citing Chairman FBR and Collector of Customs Appraisement West as respondents, petitioner imported nineteen consignments of cement corrugated asbestos roofing products limited of Colombo Sri Lanka at the unit price of US$ 0.16, however, customs officials reassessed the same on WeBOC ID through computer portal by message in inbox being endorsement on goods declaration said to be post release verification assessed at unit price of US$ 0.21 as against the declared price without any basis or supporting reasons and/ or granting of any opportunity of hearing to the petitioner.
Counsel pleaded the court to declare that the act of the respondents is illegal and mala fide and arbitrary and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
