KARACHI: A divisional bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan hearing a confiscation case of Cheese allowed release of consignment against payment of custom duties, taxes, fine and penalty.
The bench earlier heard Kafeel Ahmed abbasi advocate, counsel for Sabiha Anees Trading Enterprises. The counsel submitted that during July 2014- June 2015 , petitioner company imported 44 consignments of Cheese from Australia claiming exemption from Sales tax. The Goods Declaration (GDs) were filed separately for each consignment which were subsequently released after payment of all duties , taxes etc. The petitioner further maintained that in Aug 2015 another consignment was imported and Gate Out letter was issued after completion of all formalities. The DIT staff suddenly intercepted and detained the consignment alleging that Sales Tax worth rupees 440 million has been evaded. A FIR was also registered in which accused obtained pre-arrest bail. The DIT later issued a show cause notice but the alleged evasion of Sales tax in respect of 44 consignments was not mentioned.
The bench after hearing the counsel for Model Customs Collectorate, East ordered the release of consignment on payment of customs duty, taxes etc with the department while post dated cheques to secure amount of fine and penalty to be deposited with the Nazir of SHC.