LAHORE, Sept 19: Lahore High Court Judge Justice Syed Hamid Ali Shah has adjourned hearing of a petition, for arguments on merits, seeking ban on import of Indian sugar saying it was unfit for human consumption.

The judge also ordered a deputy attorney-general to have fresh samples of the sugar, stocked at Railways godwons, for conducting tests at the PCSIR laboratory to ascertain whether or not it was fit for human consumption and complied with the import policy.

The judge took a strong exception to the absence of the Customs Collector after he ignored the order regarding his court appearance. The judge ordered his immediate appearance and adjourned the hearing.

Later, when the collector appeared before the court, he said he did not know about the court orders. He also said that the Customs did not release the sugar after it found out about the court’s concern regarding the commodity.

On the last date of proceedings on Monday, Justice Hamid Ali Shah had censored the Customs officials for releasing 25 per cent of “harmful” Indian sugar and summoned the collector for an explanation.

The judge warned the collector of arrest warrants in case he ignored the court order again. Justice Shah observed when the Customs officials were issued a court notice, they were not supposed to release the sugar because they knew the matter was pending before the court.—Reporter