KARACHI: The customs Post Clearance Audit (PCA) department was restrained from taking any adverse action against petitioner company Viper Technology (Pvt) Ltd on allegation of money laundering.
Zain Jatoi advocate appeared for the petitioner before the customs appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Mahmood A Khan and submitted that despite a consent order passed by this Court on 19-2-2020 in CP D-7766 of 2019 and others in which respondents were allowed to proceed against the petitioner in accordance with law, respondents have issued similar notices under section 26 and 26A of the Customs Act 1969 without leveling any allegation or referring to any contravention by the petitioner, whereas in case of one of the petitioners, a complaint bearing number 4 of 2020 has been filed before the Special Judge, Customs, Excise & Taxation on the allegation of money laundering.
Zain Jatoi to a query by the bench said that petitioner apprehends involvement and criminal proceedings under similar charge/allegation of money laundering under Anti Money Laundering Act 2010 while no ingredients of such Act of 2010 are attracted. The counsel said that petitioner is willing to cooperate, join adjudication proceedings and to submit response to such proceedings.
The bench after hearing ordered issuance of pre-admission notice for April 02, restraining the respondents from any adverse action against the petitioner and also to give a complete opportunity of hearing to the petitioner .
The petitioner was also directed to submit response to the Show Cause Notice issued or may be issued by the Custom Authorities in due course.