KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspects Shafi Ullah, Qudrat Ullah, Jalani and Muhammad Naeem, who were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 10950 betel nuts and gutka.
On February 23, 2019, counsel for the above-mentioned suspects moved bail petitions and argued that applicants are innocent and falsely implicated in this case, they are ready to give assurance as surety bond for appearance on each and every date of hearing before the court, therefore, court may grant their bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, court granted their bail against the surety of Rs200,000 and directed them to appear on next date of hearing before the court.
Court also called comments from investigation officer and special prosecutor for customs department.
Earlier, investigation officer of customs preventive submitted interim charge sheet against arrested suspects namely Shafi Ullah, Qudrat Ullah, Jalani and Muhammad Naeem and informed the court that on an actionable information, customs preventive intercepted a Hino High Wall truck bearing registration no: TKC-225 and Toyota Hilux Pick-up bearing registration no KV-5995 and recovered total 10950 kga betel nuts worth Rs. 3,044,100 and 504 kgs Reshmi Zoya Gutka worth Rs3,780,000.
He further informed the court that during investigation, it is established that absconding accused and arrested suspects in collaboration with other associates smuggled the seized contraband goods into the country.
He said that in view of the circumstances foregoing it is established that they have committed an offence which attracts the provisions of section 2 (s) 156(2) 157(2) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clauses 8, 89 and 85 of Section 156 (i) ibid read with Section 3 of Import and Export Control Act, 1950.
After the hearing, court accepted interim charge sheet and issued non-bailable warrants against absconding suspect for next date of hearing.
Muhammad Ashraf Petafi, preventive officer, Customs Appraisement, Sepoy Faizan Zaidi, Anti-Smuggling Organization, Sepoy, Imran Kiyani, Anti-Smuggling Organization and Muhammad Farooq, Investigation Officer Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi’s names are mentioned in charge sheet as witnesses.
