KARACHI: The Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court has granted interim pre-arrest bail to suspect, Mian Muhammad Akram, who was booked for importing kerosene oil in the garb of white spirit.
The court also issued notices to the special prosecutor for the customs department and investigation officer for July 18, 2017, directing them to file their respective comments on the next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the suspects moved an application for pre-arrest bail and after arguments, the court granted him bail against the surety bonds of Rs 500,000. The court also directed him to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, proprietor/ partners/ directors of M/s Friends Petrochemical Industry imported/ smuggled kerosene oil weighing 1000 matric tons worth Rs 47,115,000 under the garb of white spirit in violation of import restriction policy.
According to the prosecution, case was registered under section (s) 16, 32 (1) 79 (1) of the customs act, 1969 punishable under section 156 (1) (8) (14) (43) (81) (82) (89) & 157 (2) ibid, read with section 3 (1) 3 of the import restriction vide S#2 of appendix-B (parts-II) to IPO 2016, further read with clauses (a) & (b) preamble to SRO 499 (1)/ 2009 dated 13.6.2009, further read with SRO 566(1)/2005 dated 06/06/2005.
