KARACHI: The customs court granted bail to suspects namely Abdul Razzaq son of Muhammad Iqbal and Syed Imran son of Syed Ain Uddin against surety of Rs300,000 each and directed them to attend the court on each and every date of hearing, who were nominated in first information report (FIR) for smuggling of 41, 010 kilogram betel nuts worth Rs49,212, 000.
On 8 October 2021, during the hearing, counsel for the applicants/ accused filed bail application and argued that their clients are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case, who are ready to submit surety and undertake that they will attend the court on each and every date of hearing till final judgment in this case.
Earlier, investigation officer of Investigation and Prosecution, had submitted progress report and informed the court that on an actionable informed, customs officials intercepted two Shehzore trucks bearing registration numbers JX-1353 and JZ-1496 and during the search, found 1367 pp bags (each weighing 30kg) containing foreign origin smuggled betel nuts, total weighing 41, 010 kilograms worth Rs49, 212, 000.
Investigation officer further submitted that after the formalities, customs officials lodged first information report (FIR) and seized the above-mentioned goods.
Investigation officer added that interim challan of the case is submitted accordingly, as the investigation of the case is underway, therefore, it is requested before the court that further time may kindly be granted under section 344 crpc to submit the final charge sheet in the case.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2 (s) of the customs act, 1969 read with section 156(2) & 178 ibid, further read with section 3(1) of the imports and exports (control) act, 1950 punitive action for which is provided under clause (89) (i) of section 156 (i) of the customs act, 1969.
