KARACHI: The Customs (Taxation & Anti-Smuggling) Court granted the interim bail to suspects named Farhan Vasaya, Mehdi Raza, Muhammad Abrar and Rehmat Ali involved in an alleged mega tax evasion case.
During the hearing, counsel for the abovementioned suspects appeared before the court and submitted that their clients are innocent and were falsely implicated in this case. They are ready to face the trail, however they have apprehension of arrest therefore court may grant them bail.
After the hearing, the court granted them bail against the surety of Rs500000 and issued notices to special public prosecutor for customs department and investigation officer for next date of hearing. The court also directed the accused to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, they are involved in a fraudulent clearance/delivery of fabric consignments imported by other importer M/s Essa Co International Karachi by cross-shifting of the cargo after an examination by the customs. As per customs department, duty and taxes were involved amounting to Rs6.32million.
A case was registered for violation of 2 (s) 16, 32, (32) 2, 32A, 92 of Customs Act 1969 read with SRO 566 (1)/ 1985 dated 06/06/2005 Section 33 of the Sales Tax Act-1990, section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance-2001 and 3 (1) of Import & Export Control Act-1950 punishable under Customs 8, 9, 14, 14A, 43, 45, 77 and 87 of Section 156 (1) of the Customs Act-1969 clauses 11C of Section 33 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 3 (3) of Import & Export (Control) Act-1950.
