KARACHI: Hearing a constitution petition filed by Glover Pakistan Limited against alleged harassment of its directors by Pakistan Customs , Model Customs Collectorate, Enforcement & Compliance, the bench restrained the respondent officials from arresting the directors of petitioner company in a FIR pertaining to alleged removal of 500 Metric Tonnes of Vinyl Acetate Monomer from SAPT terminal, a public ware house without payment of custom duty and taxes.
A counsel from Franklin Law Associates representing the petitioner company submitted that allegation of removal of item from ware house with connivance of petitioners and other accused are false and frivolous and not attracted to the instant case for the reason that Petitioner did not file any ex-bond goods declaration in respect of 500 MT Vinyl Acetate Monomer.
The counsel from the law firm further contended that in case of removal of consignment from a public bonded warehouse, it is the responsibility of the ware house management to compensate the petitioner and make payment of duty and taxes to the Custom authorities.
The counsel for petitioner also submitted that the case was without jurisdiction and lawful authority and respondents are bent upon destroying the reputation of the petitioner, a public limited company as respondents have also raided and sealed the office premises of the petitioner company. There was serious apprehension that directors of the petitioner company would be arrested in this false case, counsel from law firm said seeking protection to the directors. He said that as the respondents have coercively recovered duty and taxes, FIR could not be lodged. He submitted that directors of the petitioner company named in the FIR are ready to cooperate in the adjudication proceedings if any and also cooperate with the prosecution.
The bench after detailed hearing while ordering issuance of pre-admission notices to the respondents as well as DAG for Sept 23, restrained the respondents from arresting the directors of the petitioner company while they were also ordered to de-seal the office of the company and to submit a compliance report by next date of hearing.
SHC restrains Custom from arresting directors of Glover Pakistan Limited
