KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted interim pre-arrest bail to Muhammad Waseem, allegedly involved in duty and taxes evasion of Rs 9.34 million, and adjourned the hearing for the first week of March 2017.
During the hearing, the suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel and filed an application for pre-arrest bail. The counsel for the suspect argued that his client is innocent and has falsely been implicated in this case, and that he is also ready to face trail. Therefore, he said, the court may grant him bail till final disposal of this case.
After the hearing, the court approved his bail against surety bonds of Rs 200,000. The court issued notice to the special prosecutor of the Customs Department and called police papers, and also directed the accused to join the investigation if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on the next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, FIR No. PQ-228/DCI/Khurram Steel/2016 dated 11/12/2016 was registered by directorate general of intelligence and investigation-FBR (Customs Enforcement) Karachi, under section 2 (s) (ii) 16, 32 (1) & (2) 32-A, 81, 82 punishable under section 156 (1) (8) (9) (14) (14-A) & 156 of the Customs Act, 1969.