KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the tax authorities and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by Mohabbat, seeking release of his Toyota Crown Saloon Model 2008 seized by customs authorities.
During the hearing of the petition, a two-member bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also directed them to file their respective comments on the next date of hearing. The court adjourned the hearing for January 19, 2017.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that his client is a businessman and purchased the vehicle bearing registration no BET-208 Toyota Crown Model 2008 from Hussain Abdul Rarhim and fulfilled all legal requirements.
According to the petitioner, it was shocking for the petitioner that the tax authorities snatched the vehicle from him on December 23, 2016 by stating that the documents so submitted by the petitioner were doubtful.
The counsel argued that after fulfilling all requirements and paid liabilities, the act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Citing Collector of Customs Adjudication-II, Director Directorate of General Intelligence and Investigation (Customs Anti-Smuggling), Director Excise and Taxation Department and Hussain Abdul Rahim as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the petitioner as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to direct them to hand over the said vehicle to the petitioner until the final decision of this court. He also pleaded the court to restrain the authorities concerned from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.
