KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspect namely Abdul Hussain son of Abdul Sattar against the surety of Rs50,000, who is booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid 4500 liters High Speed Diesel (HSD).
On Tuesday, counsel for the suspect filed bail petition and argued that accused is fisherman by profession and sue to earn livelihood by fishing through boating in the deep sea. He further argued that the recovered 4500 liters of HSD was meant for the fuel required for the boat as the crew members spend two months in the deep sea.
He argued that accused was not found bringing in or taking out of Pakistan the goods in question therefore, alleged offence is punishable with six years imprisonment and as such does not fall within the prohibitory clause of section 497 cr pc hence accused are entitled to grant of bail.
Ghulam Mustafa, Special Prosecutor for the state vehemently opposed the contention raised by the counsel for the accused and has contended that the applicant is intercepted along with boat loaded with 4500 liters of Iranian smuggled HSD, therefore, bail application may be rejected.
After the hearing, court observed in its order that “it could be established at trail that whether the recovered HSD was meant for fuel consumption or smuggling purposes and even it is also matter for further inquiry that whether the recovered HSD of Iranian origin or otherwise, therefore, the bail petition is allowed to the above mentioned suspect against the surety of Rs50,000.
According to the prosecution, case was registered by Pakistan Coast Guards Karachi under Customs Act, 1969 and others related laws.
