KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to tax authorities on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Urooj Autos seeking release order of its consignment of “automotive vehicle replacement parts”.
While the hearing of constitutional petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar also directing them to file their respective comments on next date of hearing, court adjourned the hearing for January 17, 2017.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the business of auto parts and imports auto parts from different countries and paying all liabilities regularly.
According to petitioner, it imported a consignment of automotive vehicle replacement parts weighting 6678 kg, worth $236, 80 dated July 30, 2015 from Japan and filed goods declaration. However, officials of the customs authorities issued a show cause notice to the petitioner alleging that the petitioner with active connivance of the clearing agent deliberately scanned a false fake and fabricated invoice in order to get the goods release on highly suppressed values.
Counsel further argued that being aggrieved, importer filed an appeal before appellate tribunal which directed the customs authorities to release the consignment of the petitioner, however, officials of the customs authorities are not following order of the tribunal.
Citing Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement West as respondent, importer pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. Petitioner also pleaded the court may direct the respondents to immediately release the consignment of the petitioner as per direction of the appellate tribunal.
