KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has acquitted eight accused namely Mian Taimour Usman Khoaja, Rahim -ud-din, Shan Pasand, Muhammad Nawaz, Inayat Ali, Dilawar, Sadiq Shah, Muhammad Jadoon and Muhammad Nawaz on benefit of doubt in a case pertaining to an attempt to steal gold, diamond etc causing loss to government of Rs 13,238,100.
During the hearing, the counsel for the accused submitted that accused are innocent and were falsely implicated in this case. He pleaded that the court may acquit the applicants.
However, counsel for the prosecution argued that prosecution has provided all evidences against accused persons, therefore, they should be convicted.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court observed in its order that ” I have come to the conclusion that prosecution has miserably failed to prove the charge against the accused persons by producing any convincing evidences the complainant and completing and making out the case in conducting investigation of this case . The complainant as well as investigating officer have not fixed the liability against any accused. Therefore court acquit them from the charge and extend benefit of doubt”.
According to the charge sheet, Mian Taimour Usman Khoaja, being managing director of M/s N.S Security Pvt Ltd, in connivance with co – accused Rehmanud -din (chowkidar), Shan Pasand (operational manager), Muhammad Nawaz ( guard ), Inayat Ali, Dilawar ( guard ) Sadiq Shah (chowkidar) Muhammad Jaddon (supervisor) and Muhammad Nawaz ( guard ), removed /stolen gold grams 4527.39 gold of $ 10,509, diamond weighting 129 grams of $42,000 and miscellaneous goods from premises of EDF duty free shop situated at Korangi ware house and Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi.
According to investigators the accused had caused Rs13,238,100 loss to government and their offense was punishable under section 156 ( 1 ) ( 62) (81) & (82) of the Customs Act. 1969.
