The Kerala High Court has directed the Centre and the Customs Department to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to install x-ray scanners at the International Containers Transshipment Terminal, Vallarpadom, for effective surveillance of imported containers.
Justice P.R. Ramachandran Menon also asked the Centre and Customs to state in the affidavit the time required to install the scanners. The court observed that installation of the scanner would boost the economy by preventing pilferage of revenue by way of import of contraband articles.
The directives were issued on Friday on a petition filed by Vegara Trading Company of Malappuram challenging the trade facility order issued by the Customs Department on October 29, 2013 directing en bloc movement of the containers imported on the premises of the ICTT, Vallarpadom, to any of the five container freight stations for customs examinations.