ARACHI: A division bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to submit their para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Petro Well Private Limited seeking release order for its 50,000 liters high speed diesel which was seized by customs officials due to allegedly smuggling.
On 13 January 2021, during the hearing, counsel argued that vehicle and goods were detained by the staff of customs department without given any notice which was purchased in auction as per delivery order dated Dec 28, 2020 issued by directorate general of intelligence & investigation which was produced accordance with law same was produced by the petitioner at the time of detention of vehicle and goods and petitioner compiled the provision of section 187 of the customs act, 1969 and submitted/ handed over the legal documents to the seizing agency and petitioner shifted burden of prove which was not considered and vehicle and goods was detained after detention show cause notice was issued by the adjudicating authority.
He further argued that petitioner has filed so many applications before customs officials and requested issued release order according to law in the light of order in customs appeal H-1001/2020 passed by customs appellate tribunal Karachi but respondents staff using delay tactics for compliance on said orders.
Counsel further argued that petitioner here under for your kind consideration and just order against the respondents and their subordinates who refused to release goods of the petitioner in the light of order in customs appeal no H-1001/ 2020 passed by customs appellate tribunal Karachi against order-in-original.
Citing secretary finance, collector of Customs Preventive and deputy collector of Customs as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that instant application may allow and direct them to release the goods of the petitioner in the light of order in customs appeal.