KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to make sure filing of their comments on next date of hearing on a petition filed by M/s Rana Enterprises against seizing of consignment of miscellaneous items.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter on September 5, 2018.
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During the hearing, counsel for the customs officials sought further time to submit comments, therefore, court granted time and adjourned the matter. The court also directed the other parties to submit comments on next date of hearing.
Counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner has imported a consignment of miscellaneous items from China and filed goods declaration as well as fulfilled all other requisite formalities and said consignment was fully examined and cleared by the customs officials.
He argued that when he approached customs officials to release the consignment and he got shocked, when he was informed by the customs officials that its consignment was held and first information report has been lodged against the petitioner due to its alleged involvement in tax evasion matter.
Counsel informed the court that petitioner never involved in any criminal activity and after lodging first information report, he moved trial court and got bail.
Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), collector of Customs Appraisement West and others as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded that the court may direct customs officials to release the consignment and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this case.
After the hearing, court issued notices to the customs authorities directing them to make sure filing of their para-wise comments on next date of hearing without fail.
