KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi on Friday granted interim bail to suspect namely Guldar son of Khayal Manshah, driver of oil tanker, who was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 13,424 liters diesel.
During the hearing, counsel for the applicant appeared before the court and moved petition for bail and argued that his client is innocent and was falsely been implicated in this case, is ready to face trail, therefore, court may grant him bail till final judgment in this case. After the hearing, court granted him bail against the surety of Rs100,000 and issued notices to the customs special prosecutor for next date of hearing.
According to the charge-sheet, on a credible information, staff of ASO-/HQ, MCC Preventive posted at Super Highway Chowk was directed to mount strict surveillance at the spotted area. At about 7am, the customs team along with the back-up support of Ranger staff reached behind Dua/Shanwari Hotel, Qasba Colony, Karachi and found a Hino tanker bearing registration no- JP-8849, and Nissan Dumper truck bearing registration no TTA-938 as per information.
He submitted that during the search, driver of the Hino truck was asked to produce lawful documents of said oil; however, he failed to produce any lawful documents regarding the said diesel. Therefore, after the legal formalities, he was arrested by the customs department.
He further informed the court that during the investigation, facts and circumstances of the case, it is established that accused namely Guldar had thus committed an offense in collusion with the others under section 2 (s), 156 (2), 157 (2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clauses 8 & 89 of section 156 (1) ibid read with section 3 (1) Imports & Export Control Act, 1950.
Investigation officer argued that efforts are still continuing to locate and arrest the registered owners of the impounded vehicles, driver of Nissan Dumper truck and others, involved in the commission of offense. If any progress will be done during the investigation, it shall be communicated to this court by submitting a final charge sheet on next date of hearing.
