LAHORE: The Customs Appellate Tribunal has modified an Order-in-Original in an impounded vehicle case which was filed by Deputy Director Intelligence and Investigation-FBR Lahore against Shahbaz Hamid and others.
Muhammad Shabbir Gujjar, Member Judicial, heard the case in details and passed the arguments that respondent is ready to pay the taxes and duties on the reduction of redemption fine so the fine is reduced from 20 percent to 10 and case is disposed of.
The staff of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation intercepted a Mazda truck. On demand, the driver failed to produce legal documents regarding the legality of the loader and the same was taken into possession under Section 2 (kk) of the Customs Act-1969.
After issuing a show cause notice, adjudication proceedings were culminated and Order-in-Original was passed with remarks that the impounded vehicle be released to the owner on the payment of 10 percent redemption fine.
The department, being aggrieved from the order, filed the appeal before the Customs Appellate Tribunal and produced all the documents showing the illegality of goods and also presented arguments that the ONO was passed in a mechanical fashion and former authority has ignored the fact of the case therefore Order-in-Original is liable to be set aside.
On the other side, the respondent/owner of vehicle produced the record and showed willingness in the payment of short-paid duties and taxes if fine is reduced.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the Customs Appellate Tribunal has decided the case with remarks that order is adapted and the fine is reduced.