LAHORE: The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has announced punishment in a renowned case of statues smuggling.
According to the details, a case of statues smuggling was scheduled for hearing before the Judge, Tahir Sabir. After hearing the arguments of the lawyers, the Customs Court on Wednesday imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on two culprits and asked them to pay that amount before the court.
The customs authorities had registered cases against three suspects, Ammar, Gulzar and Muhammad Hassan. They were arrested on charges of smuggling of 50 antique dolls, 313 costly coins and two plates as well of Mughal era artifacts.
Two customs officials were also arrested in charges of helping of smuggling of these items. They also got bails from the court. The Customs Court ordered the customs authorities to handover these statues to the management of the Lahore Fort for keeping them in museum.
Another accused who was involved in smuggling of these statues from Peshawar to Lahore and then intended to smuggle them to Bangkok is on bail and his case is in process now.
Meanwhile on Wednesday 18 other cases were also scheduled for hearing before the customs court. Most of the cases were adjourned without any proceedings because of non availability of the concern parties and lawyers of the cases.
Case against an accused who was arrested from Sialkot in mobile smuggling case was also scheduled for the day that has adjourned for next week. Another case of tax evasion of Gujranwala has also adjourned for next Thursday where the court has asked for witnesses.
