An order issued by a court at Chapainawabganj for release of a car seized by customs officials with alleged smuggled goods has been stayed by the High Court, sources here said.

The court had ordered the customs department to release the car under the custody of a lawyer --Hasib -- following a case filed by the lawyer on behalf of one Shubhas Mollik of Shayamnagar in Dhaka.

The 'unclaimed' car was seized on August 29 last year after the antismuggling task force in Chapainawabganj recovered 230 ounces of gold and Tk 7.50 lakh from the car, sources at Rajshahi divisional customs commissioner's office said.

Customs officials deposited the gold with the Bangladesh Bank and the money wit the government treasury and took the initiative to auction the car.

Meantime, Mollik claimed ownership of the car and filed a case through lawyer Hasib.

The initiative to auction the car was taken as two notices served by the customs on the lawyer were not responded to.

The High Court stayed the court order on June 18 after the customs department challenged it at the High Court.