LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has rejected an appeal against the increase in the prison sentence of an accused involved in Rs 460 million of Sales Tax fraud. The Supreme Court Division Bench remarked that the accused involved in the tax fraud does not deserve any relaxation.
Under the supervision of Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, a two-member bench heard the case against Saadat Ali Khan, Muhammad Ali Khan and Ahmed Ali Khan.
From appellant side, advocate Ahmed Awais appeared before the court and argued that the case of Sales Tax fraud was registered against the accused in 2002.
He said the accused confessed to the offence before the trail court and the court announced a 33-month imprisonment and a fine. Adding more, he maintained that the Sales Tax Act-2005 does not apply to the Sales Tax Act-1990 so the appeal for the increase of imprisonment of accused may be dismissed.
On the other side, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue Muhammad Imran and Inspector Rana Ijaz presented a record before the court. The counsel for FBR Muhammad Khalid Chaudhary argued before the court that 48 cases are registered against the three accused. The Customs Judge imposed only Rs3300 of fine on the accused but the Lahore High Court set aside the Customs Judge’s order and imposed a fine equal to the fraud amount.
After hearing the complete arguments, Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed the appeal against the increase in the prison of the accused.
