KARACHI: The Customs Court granted after-arrest bail to suspects namely Syed Umer, Noor Muhammad Khan, Rahat Khan, Farman Ali, Momin Khan, Aziz Khan, Zahid Rehmat and Wajid Ali, who were nominated in a case of smuggling of 40,000 liter diesel oil via deep sea.
On 7 December 2020, counsel for the accused appeared before the court and moved bail applications for after arrest bail, counsels argued that their clients are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case, who are ready to face trail, therefore, court may grant after arrest bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, the court granted their bail against the surety of Rs2,00,000 each and directed them to appear before the court on the next date of hearing for confirmation of bail or otherwise.
Earlier, investigation officer of customs preventive submitted charge sheet and informed the court that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted wooden launch Al-Haram bearing registration no BFD-15306 and during the search found 14 tanks which were fixed in the engine room of the launch and asked them to produce legal documents of the said diesel, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents.
He further submitted that after the formalities, customs officials seized the goods along with launch and suspects also were taken into customs custody.
Investigation officer stated that a suspect namely Shahnawaz son of Muhammad Malik, owner of the said launch & diesel has not been arrested yet, after the hearing, court approved charge sheet and issued non-bailable warrants against absconder suspect and directed investigation officer to arrest and produce before the court on the next date of hearing.
According to the first information report, case was registered for violation of 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 of import & export control act, 1950.
