Amnesty Scheme for smuggled motor vehicles held illegal
WITH much fanfare, the Government had introduced an Amnesty Scheme on 5th March, 2013 for smuggled or non-duty paid motor vehicles, having non-tampered engine or chassis numbers, which have been seized or voluntarily presented to Customs on or before the 31st March, 2013. Under the Scheme the aforesaid vehicles were allowed to be released on payment of redemption fine along with duty and taxes. The redemption fine to be charged was to be 1% of the payable duty and taxes, and the scheme warranted that the customs-duty and other taxes along with redemption fine so levied thereon were paid on or before the 31st March, 2013.
After rumours started going around that the scheme was going to be extended beyond 31 st March, the Revenue Board came out with a clarification that these were unfounded rumours and that no such extension would be given.
On the last day of the scheme came another Press Release which clarified that those ‘unfounded' rumours were not unfounded after all and the scheme saw an extension till the 6th April, 2013.
This scheme attracted criticism for the reason -
+ It is learnt that as many as 50,852 vehicles were legalized in just one month which included only 7324 confiscated vehicles meaning that more than 40,000 vehicles were imported under this scheme for trading purpose.
+ The stats reveal that some of the world's most expensive and luxury vehicles were legalised under the scheme which includes Lamborghini Gallardo, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz S/E Class, BMWs, Range Rovers, Cadillac, Bentley, Jaguars, Ford Mustangs and other luxury SUVs like Land Cruisers, Prado, Lexus and Mitsubishi Pajero.
The President of Defense of Human Rights of Public Services Trust had filed a Petition in the High Court against this scheme.
The Court accepted the petition against the Amnesty scheme.
Inasmuch as the Order issued by the government introducing the Amnesty Scheme on March 5, 2013 was held as null and void the Revenue Board was directed to impound the smuggled vehicles and auction the same.
All this happened across our border - in Pakistan and this judgment was delivered by the Islamabad High Court.
Will this happen in our country? Also see and 2129.