KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted interim pre-arrest bail to accused person namely Mansoor son of Muhammad Hussain Lokkhandwala, owner of M/s Lokkhandwala who was allegedly involved in tax evasion of Rs 2,110,719.
During the hearing, the accused appeared before the court along with his counsel and moved petition for pre-arrest bail. The counsel argued that his client is innocent and was falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to face trail, however, he has apprehension of arrest, therefore, and court may grant him bail till final disposal of this case.
After hearing, the court granted him bail and observed in its order that, “Without touching the merits of the case, ad-interim pre-arrest bail is granted to accused to furnish surety in the sum of Rs 200,000 each with PR bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court.
The court also directed the accused to join investigations if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on the next date of hearing. The court also called the police papers and issued notice to the special prosecutor for customs department.
According to the prosecution staff of the Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR (Enforcement) Regional Tax Office, Karachi, has lodged FIR dated 06/04/2017 against M/s Easir Traders & others associates in crime, who have been found involved in the illegal removal of gasoline generators from the bonded warehouse M/s Lokhandwala SITE Karachi under jurisdiction of Customs Collectorate, Appraisement West Karachi, imported vide goods declaration dated 26/11/2014.
He further informed the court that accused and his other companions are involved in evading the customs duty and taxes to the tune of Rs2,110,719.
Case was registered against them in violation of section 18, 32, (1) (2) 79 (1) and 104 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with section 86, 97, 98 and 116 punishable under section 156 (1) (14) (50) (59) and (82) ibid further read with section 3, 6, 7A, and 34 of the Sale Tax Act, 1990 and section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
