KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs department to file para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by Javad Akhtar and Fida Hussain Brohi seeking their Toyota Hiace vehicles seized by customs authorities due to alleged smuggling and evasion of duty and taxes.
On April 19, 2019, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners stated that customs I&I officials intercepted their vehicles, which were being used for passenger services, and without lawful authority seized the said vehicles illegally.
He submitted that petitioners had obtained registration of the seized vehicles through due process of motor registration authority, who issued registration certificates after verification of documents from the customs authorities and compliance of the requirements set forth in Section 25 of the West Pakistan Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965.
He further submitted that as aggrieved they filed appeal before appellant forum and it set aside impugned directions of customs department and directed them to release petitioners’ vehicles, however, when they approached the customs department, they denied to accept impugned order.
Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director General Customs Intelligence & Investigation Karachi as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, malafide and arbitrary and direct them to release their vehicles immediately and restrain them from taking any coercive action till final order in this petition.
They further pleaded the court that court may grant any other relief deemed just and appropriate and appreciate in the circumstances of the case and grant cost of the petition.
