KARACHI: Hearing two identical petitions filed by three persons of three firms which imported used computers and accessories, booked on charge of mis-declaration, a custom appellate bench of High Court of Sindh restrained the customs from arresting the petitioners subject to furnishing of solvent surety of rupees 100,000 and PR bond in the like amount.
The bench earlier heard a counsel from Franklin Law Associates appearing for Sohail Habib Bhagat of S.A.Traders, Muhammad Khurram Dawood of Chess Shipping and Logistics and M. Anis Rehman of A.R. Computers.
The counsel for petitioner maintained that lawfully imported consignments were examined and assessed and were released but Customs Intelligence intercepted the same within the Port area and lodged two FIRs PQ 287/DCI/S.A. Traders/2020 and PQ-288/DCI/A.R. Computers/2020.
According to FIR’s the accused have mis-declared the quantity of the consignment. The counsel from the law firm submitted that no show cause was issued nor any adjudication proceedings were initiated and petitioners/accused were booked in FIR. The counsel sought protection against the arrest.
The bench after hearing the counsel for petitioners/accused at length ordered issuance of pre-admission notices to respondents for Oct 22. The bench also allowed the respondents to proceed against the accused in accordance with law after issuing show cause and proper opportunity of hearing. The bench also ordered the respondents to not to arrest them till next hearing subject to furnishing of solvent surety of rupees 100000 and Personal Bond in the like amount.