KARACHI: A Custom’s appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed issued notices to the respondents in a petition (CP- D 129/2017) filed by one Munawar Hussain in a case involving goods worth rupees 304,621,736 detected by Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) NMB Wharf, Karachi.
The bench also clubbed SCRA 24/ 2107 with the petition above. The appellant challenged the judgment of Special Customs Appellate Tribunal in appeal 1337 of 2016. The petitioner maintains that the appeal was dismissed hastily just after two hearings. The petitioner maintains that the tribunal has not considered main issues and facts. It was contended that the vehicle seized by the ASO on 19-10-2015 was a bonded carrier, registered under Customs Rules 2001 for transportation of transshipment goods and the goods were destine for Dry Port, Lahore.
Masooda Siraj advocate representing the Collector Customs (MCC) Preventive in para wise comments submitted that the seizure was made by ASO on credible information that some unscrupulous elements are importing commercial goods of higher value/duty slab under umbrella of transshipment for up country. As per information, once out of port consignment was taken to a godown where the high value goods were de-stuffed and replaced with goods of lower or cheap value.
The ASO in its raid and seizure, seized assorted Tablets/Notepads 1695 pieces worth rupees 33,900,000, Mobile phones 27217 worth rupees 204,127,500, LED TVs, DVD players, Washing Machines, Dry Irons, Auto parts, assorted contact lenses toiletries, perfumes etc. The total worth of items seized was estimated to be rupees 304,621, 736 million. According to the Customs act of accused was violative of section 2 (S), 32, 32-A, 121, 178 of Customs Act 1969. Muhammad Tayyab Khan, Senior Preventive Officer conducted the raid and arrested petitioner/claimant of vehicle Munawwar Hussain, Shhaid Iqbal and Muhammad Imran present at the place of raid. The absconders include proprietor of Ms Pak Enterprises, Lahore, clearing agent Ehteshamuddin and Company, Abdul Moiz Bawany, M Sohail and Muzammil Shah alleged accomplices. Associates, abettors.
The bench after perusing the para wise comments and rejoinder fixed Feb 17 for a detailed conclusive hearing.