KARACHI: Customs laws protect officials from legal proceedings in case anything done in good faith while exercising powers.
The FBR issued Customs Act, 1969 updated till June 30, 2019 incorporating amendment brought through Finance Act, 2019.
Section 217 of the Customs Act, 1969 provides protection of action taken under the Act.
Section 217: Protection of action taken under the Act
Sub-Section (1) :No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Federal Government or any public servant for anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith in pursuance of this Act or the rules and notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force no investigation or enquiry shall be undertaken or initiated by any governmental agency against any officer or official for anything done in his official capacity under this Act, rules, instructions or directions made or issued thereunder without the prior approval of the Board.
Sub-Section (2): No suit shall be brought in any civil court to set aside or modify any order passed, any assessment made, any tax levied, any penalty imposed or collection of any tax made under this Act.
Section 218: Notice of proceedings
No proceeding in a court other than a suit shall be commenced against any officer of customs or any other person exercising any powers conferred or discharging any duties imposed by or under this Act for anything purporting to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or the rules without giving to such officer or person a month’s previous notice in writing of the intended proceeding and of the cause thereof; or after the expiration of one year from the accrual of such cause:
Provided that this section shall not be deemed to apply in the case of the prosecution of an officer of customs or such other person for an offence punishable under this Act.
