HC issues contempt rule against Ctg customs official over failure to release imported cargo
As the consignment remained detained despite the judicial rulings, the petitioner's lawyer filed a formal contempt petition against CHC Assistant Commissioner Towhida Islam on 13 July, leading to today's rule
The High Court has issued a contempt rule against Towhida Islam, assistant commissioner of Custom House, Chattogram, for allegedly failing to comply with its order to release an imported consignment within the stipulated time.
A HC bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Asif Hasan issued the rule today (20 July) following a petition filed by Yasir Arafat, proprietor of Chattogram-based food processor Warda & Jubayer Agro Industry Ltd.
The court also directed Towhida Islam to explain within 14 days why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against her, ordering that the show-cause notice be served via a special messenger.
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Confirming the development, the petitioner's lawyer, Advocate Mohiuddin Ahmed, stated that the rule was issued because the customs authority failed to implement the court's directive to release the shipment within seven days.
According to court documents, the importer submitted a Bill of Entry to Chattogram Custom House on 4 May for a 28-tonne consignment of mineral-rich rock salt imported from Pakistan.
After the shipment remained uncleared for over 15 days, the importer filed a writ petition before the High Court.
On 21 May, a High Court bench comprising Justice Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Rezaul Karim directed customs authorities to release the consignment within seven days of receiving the certified copy of the order.
The importer alleged that Custom House, Chattogram initially refused to receive the court order on 24 May, citing Eid holidays, and eventually accepted it on 1 June.
On 7 June, customs informed the importer in writing that the consignment could not be released without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Industries
The importer disputed this requirement, pointing out that mineral-rich rock salt falls under HS Code 2501.00.30 rather than industrial salt categories.
Documents reviewed by The Business Standard show identical consignments were cleared earlier without an NOC.
Although customs sought leave to appeal against the release order, the Appellate Division, presided over by Justice Farah Mahbub, disposed of the petition on 2 July without granting any stay, directing the matter to be heard by the appropriate High Court bench.
As the consignment remained detained despite the judicial rulings, Advocate Mohiuddin Ahmed filed a formal contempt petition against CHC Assistant Commissioner Towhida Islam on 13 July, leading to today's rule.
The importer revealed that the prolonged detention at Chattogram Port for over two months has pushed port storage charges and shipping demurrage to over Tk12.9 lakh – more than double the shipment's import value of Tk7,95,000 – disrupting production for the factory's 50 workers.
Similar delays have affected other businesses, including a 22-tonne consignment of black salt imported by Bombay Sweets & Co Ltd, which remained stranded for nearly two months under the same customs unit.
Commenting on institutional friction, Mohammed Amirul Haque, president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, voiced deep concern over trader harassment and administrative discretion.
