In a surprising turn of events, a Customs appellate tribunal made a ruling regarding the Bentley Mulsanne that was confiscated in Karachi last year. Contrary to previous assumptions of trafficking, the tribunal discovered that the luxury car was actually imported by the Bulgarian ambassador to Islamabad. As a result, the panel ordered the Customs Department to return the vehicle to the Bulgarian embassy or foreign ministry, emphasizing that the confiscation was carried out without jurisdiction.
The Documentation Process
During the investigations, it was revealed that Jamil Shafi, the claimant of the car, had purchased it from Naveed Bilwani, who acted as a mediator. Bilwani clarified that he facilitated the agreement between Shafi and Naveed Yamin, who served as a guarantor. The transaction involved cash and pay orders exchanged between Shafi and Yamin.
The Confiscation of Bentley Mulsanne
The tribunal highlighted that the Bentley Mulsanne had correctly been imported by the Bulgarian embassy in Pakistan, with the ambassador’s name associated with the vehicle. Customs cleared the car in 2019, backed by a legitimate exemption certificate from the foreign affairs ministry. The panel found no issues with the car’s clearance process, but British Customs subsequently confiscated it based on a report from the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Interpol’s Involvement
Considering that the vehicle was seized in the United Kingdom and the NCA was investigating the matter, the tribunal determined that Interpol, represented in Pakistan by the National Central Bureau (NCB), Islamabad, should have been involved. The judges emphasized that the NCB and NCA should have coordinated their efforts to handle the case effectively. Additionally, the car was registered with the Bulgarian embassy, which should file an FIR or take appropriate action if it was reported stolen.
The tribunal ordered the Bulgarian embassy, recognized as the “lawful owner” of the vehicle, to take possession of the Bentley Mulsanne. However, if the embassy refuses, the judgment mandates that the vehicle be handed over to the Ministry of foreign affairs along with the reports from the National Crime Agency (UK) for further necessary action.
