LAHORE: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) imposed major penalty upon a customs officer on the charges of corruption, misconduct and inefficiency.
The FBR said disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Imran Fareed, Inspector (BS-16), Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Lahore by the authority/ member (Admn/HR), FBR vide Order of Inquiry dated 19.01.2022 on account of omission and commission constituting ‘Inefficiency’ ‘Misconduct’ and ‘Corruption’ in terms of Rule-3(a),(b)&(c) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
Collector Customs Enforcement Basit Maqsood Abbasi was appointed as Inquiry Officer to conduct inquiry proceedings under the Civil Servants (E&D) Rules, 2020.
The Inquiry Officer vide inquiry report dated 30.05.2022 concluded that all the charges as leveled in the order of inquiry stand established. The audio-visual clips relating to the case reveal his direct involvement in bargaining with the complainant/owner of the goods for demanding illegal gratification.
A show-cause notice dated June 17, 2022 was issued to the accused officer for defence reply and to afford him an opportunity of personal hearing by the Authority/ Member (Admn/HR), FBR.
Whereas, on receipt of the reply to Show Cause Notice, the accused requested for opportunity for personal hearing. The Authority/ Member (Admn/HR) provided an opportunity of personal hearing to the accused on July 26, 2022.
Accordingly, the Authority/ Member (Admn/HR), FBR after having considered all aspects of the case i.e. inquiry report, reply to the Show Cause Notice, written and verbal submission made by accused/Departmental Representative during the personal hearing and relevant case record, has found that the accused being the seizing officer in the instant case has not only mis-reported the place of recovery of goods but deliberately concealed the detention of vehicles carrying smuggled goods.
He has also misstated the date of detention i.e. November 19, 2021 instead of November 17, 2021 for ulterior motives. The accused officer failed to submit separate examination reports in respect of each intercepted vehicle. The accused further appears to be guilty of directly bargaining for illegal gratification with the complainant/owner of the goods.
Hence, the charges of “inefficiency”, “misconduct” and “corruption” under Rule-3(a),(b)&(c) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020 stand established against the accused. The Authority, therefore, has agreed with the findings and recommendations of the Inquiry Officer and imposed major penalty of “Removal from Service” upon Imran Fareed, Inspector (BS-16), under Rule-4(3)(d) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020 with immediate effect.
The officer, shall have the right to appeal before the Appellate Authority as admissible under the Civil Servants (Appeal) Rules, 1977 read with Rule-19 of the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020.
