KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to make sure filing of their comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Essatex Industries seeking release order for its consignment of polyester and viscose of various kinds seized by the customs authorities due to alleged disputed valuation.
On September 17, 2018, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in his petition that petitioner is lawful importer of polyester and viscose of various kinds and always fulfills all the legal formalities according with law and never involved in any criminal or tax evasion case.
He submitted that he is aggrieved and seriously prejudiced by the action of the Collector of Customs Customs Collectorate Exports who seized/detained the consignment of the petitioner destined for export, containing polyester and viscose of various kinds on the basis of misconceived and unsubstantiated allegations of evasion of duty and taxes.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Collectorate, Collector of Customs Collectorate of Adjudication-II and others as respondents, he pleaded that the court may declare that action of the respondents is illegal, mala-fide and arbitrary. The importer also pleaded that the court may direct them to release its consignment and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
