KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the tax authorities not to take any coercive action against the petitioner on a constitutional petition filed by Abu Talib against disputed recovery of Rs 4,301,068 from him.
During the hearing of petition, a two member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also issued notices to the tax department and deputy attorney general for June 8, 2017 and directing them to file their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that pursuant to order passed under section 122 (1) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, dated 20/05/2017 by assistant commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Unit-III, Zone-IV RTO Karachi against the petitioner for tax year 2016, he moved an appeal along with stay application before the commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals IV, RTO Karachi which is still pending for disposal.
According to the petitioner, however, during pendency of such appeal, he was threatened by high officials of the tax authorities for recovery of above mentioned amount by adopting coercive action including attachment of bank accounts of the petitioner which cause serious financial injury to him.
Citing Secretary Revenue division, commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals IV, assistant commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Unit-III, Zone-IV RTO Karachi as others as respondents, he pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any coercive action against him and also direct to concern authority to decide his appeal within reasonable period.
