KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Collector of Customs Hyderabad on two constitutional petitions filed by Hazoor Bakhsh and Muhammad Usman, seeking release of their 10 wheeler trucks which were seized by custom authorities during their attempt to smuggle Iranian Oil.
During the hearing of the petitions, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Muhammad Humayun Khan, also directed the customs authorities to submit para-wise comments on next the hearing. The court also adjourned the hearing of the case for November 4, 2016.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that petitioner Hazoor Bakhsh is the real owner of truck bearing registration number TKD-750 and petitioner Muhammad Usman in owner of TKD-505 and petitioners have all the relevant documents.
According to the petitioners, custom authorities claimed that on a credible information superintendent customs special anti-smuggling squad Larkana intercepted the both trucks and recovered Iranian oil which was being smuggled from Baluchistan to Punjab through Sindh on way 10 wheeler trucks openly loaded with coal and wrapped with turpaline. After the formalities truck were seized.
Counsel argued that being aggrieved petitioners filed appeals before customs tribunal which were allowed and tribunal directed the tax authorities to release the same vehicles, however, respondent is not complying order of the tribunal.
Citing Collector of Customs Hyderabad and Custom Appellate Tribunal bench 1, Karachi as respondents, petitioners, pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondent is illegal, arbitrary and unlawful and SHC may direct the respondent to release their trucks.
