Geo’s bank accounts attachment order withdrawn
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has disposed of a petition filed by M/s Independent Media Corporation against the attachment of its bank accounts by the Collectorate of Sales Tax and Federal Excise (Enforcement) after the withdrawal of the order by the respondent.
M/s Independent Media Corporation challenged the Collectorate of Sales Tax and Federal Excise (enforcement) order on June 22, 2007 that attached the petitioner’s bank accounts submitting impugned action is completely without jurisdiction, illegal, mala fide, in breach of natural justice, patently against the fundamental rights and law, void ab initio and of no legal effect.
The petitioner’s counsel Dr Farogh A Naseem submitted that there was no default on the part of his client and hence the action of attachment of the petitioner’s bank accounts is extremely coercive and illegal, adding that the impugned action has brought the petitioner’s business to a complete standstill.
He said the Central Board of Revenue by its letter on February 20, 2007 has been pleased to grant the petitioner installments to facilitate outstanding payment, adding that there are no mala fides on the part of the petitioner and no dues are adjudged against the petitioner.
The counsel contended that the Collectorate of Sales Tax was not acting upon the CBR’s letter and without considering the installment agreement default was being leveled against the petitioner, which is unjust.
As the matter was taken up before the SHC’s division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Athar Saeed and Justice Mrs. Qaiser lqbal, the court was informed by the representative of the respondent that the order regarding the attachment bank accounts of the petitioner and other recovery notices has been withdrawn.
The court after withdrawal of attachment order and recovery notices by the respondents disposed of the petition, observing that the respondent could seek outstanding from the petitioner if the amount is due but for such purpose it will be necessary to issue 15 days notice to the petitioner and if outstanding is made out then 30 day time be granted to the petitioner for payment.
Source: The News
Date:6/30/2007
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