KARACHI: Customs (Taxation & Anti-Smuggling) Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi granted an interim pre-arrest bail to accused, Mubashir Ahmed Abbasi, proprietor of M/s Al-Amna Trading Co, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle contraband 1200 foreign origin mobile phones and auto parts valued Rs30million.
During the hearing, counsel for applicant/accused filed an application for pre-arrest bail and argued that applicant/accused is innocent and has been implicated in the case. He is ready to face trail, however he has apprehension of arrest therefore court is requested to grant him bail till the final disposal of the case.
After his hearing, court granted him bail and observed in its order that “without touching the merits of the case, an interim pre-arrest bail is granted to said accused subject to furnish surety in the sum of Rs300000 with P.R bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court.
The customs court directed the accused to join investigation if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on next date of hearing. The court also called the police papers and issued notice to special prosecutor for customs department.
According to the prosecution, on a credible information, staff of the customs authorities intercepted two Suzuki vans with registration No: KH-9472 and kp-0677 in front of Gerry’s shed, Air Fright Unit-Karachi Airport, loaded with cartons which were cleared for customs Air Freight Unit (AFU) Karachi. During the search of goods, officials found 32 packages/cartons of assorted foreign origin auto parts and 01 package containing 1200 pieces of mobile phones of assorted brands of foreign origin.
As per FIR, after the formalities, case said goods were seized and case was registered against the above named accused and others in violation of 2(s) 16, 32 (1) (2) 79 and 178 of the Customs Act-1969 punishable under clauses (8) (14) (45) and (89) of sub-section (1) of section ibid.
