KARACHI: Link judge of Customs Court Arshad Noor Khan has remanded a suspect, Shah Rukh Easir, proprietor of M/s Easir Traders, to Customs custody until April 12, 2017. The suspect was allegedly involved in tax evasion of Rs 2,110,719.
During the hearing, Investigation Officer Muhammad Aslam Nadeem produced the accused before the customs court, however, he was informed that customs court judge is on leave, therefore, he went to the link judge and produced the accused.
The investigation officer informed the court that staff of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation (Enforcement Customs) Regional Tax Office, Karachi, has lodged an FIR against M/s Easir Traders and other associates in crime, on April 6, 2017 for illegally removing gasoline generators from the bonded warehouse of M/s Lokhandwala S.I.T.E Karachi under jurisdiction of modal customs collectorate, Appraisement West Karachi, imported vide goods declaration dated 26/11/2014.
He further informed the court that accused and his other associates are involved in evading the customs duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 2,110,719. He submitted that the prosecution needs further investigations from the accused, therefore, the court may send him to the Customs Department on physical remand.
After the hearing, court granted his request and sent back on physical remand till April 12, 2017. The court also directed investigation officer to produce the accused on the next date of hearing along with progress report.
Names of accused Mansoor son of Muhammad Hussain Lokhandwala, owner of M/s Lokhandwala and Haider Saleem, proprietor of M/s Gateway International were also mentioned in FIR as accused who are still absconders in this case.
A case was registered against them under section 18, 32, (1) (2) 79 (1) and 104 of the Customs Act 1969 read with section 86, 97, 98 and 116 punishable under section 156 (1) (14) (50) (59) and (82) ibid further read with section 3, 6, 7A, and 34 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
