KARACHI: The Customs Court approved interim pre-arrest bail of suspect namely Muhammad Asim son of Anwer Ali and issued notices to special prosecutor for customs and investigation officer for next date of hearing, suspect was nominated in first information report (FIR) in a case of mega tax evasion.
On 20 November 2020, the above mentioned suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel who argued that his client is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case with a view to give safe passage to the actual culprits.
He further argued that the applicant apprehends his arrest at the hands of the customs officials and he would be humiliated, harassed and mentally tortured, lastly he requested that the applicant may be granted bail before arrest.
After the hearing, court observed in its order that “without touching the merits of the case, ad-interim pre arrest bail is granted to the applicant subject to furnishing solvent surety in the sum of Rs100,000 to the satisfaction of this court, the applicant is directed to join investigation of the case, notice to special prosecutor for customs and call police papers”.
Earlier, investigation officer had submitted charge sheet against M/s Shakeel Ahmed Muhammad Ain, Director M/s Steel Vision, Muhammad Abdullah son of Muhammad Akbar Director of M/s Steel Vision, directors/ proprietors of M/s Cosmos Trading Development and others and informed that EPZA Intelligence staff and security staff intercepted a used black Toyota Hilux Vigo double cabin vehicle bearing registration no KR-7676 while trying to illegally remove the non-duty paid iron and steel sheet 800 pcs, approx. 500 kilograms which was lying on top of the roof and rear loading space of said vehicle from KEPZ exit gate.
He further submitted that the said vehicle along with the aforementioned goods were however handed over to the customs preventive staff at gate of KEPZ after completing the necessary formalities, however, neither the incident report submitted by the customs preventive staff posted at KEPZ nor the declaration report from shift inspector (gate) KEPZ mentioned names of the persons involved in the aforesaid illegal act and boarding the detained vehicle.
He said that during the investigation, it is established beyond any iota of doubt that M/s Steel Vision, KEPZ in connivance with M/s Cosmos Trading Development, a Customs House agent have violated the provisions of section 19, 178 and 192 of the customs act, 1969 read with rules 226, 228, 234 and 235 of SRO 450(1) 2001 dated June 18, 2001 and others relevant sections and laws.
