KARACHI: The Customs Court granted after arrest bail to suspects namely Ghulam Hussain, Abdul Hameed, Abdul Latif, Muhammad Waseem, Muslim, Ghafoor, Javed and Muhammad Ayub against the surety of Rs200,000 each, who were nominated in first information report (FIR) for smuggling of 15,000 liters via deep sea.
On 16 December 2020, counsel for above mentioned suspects filed bail applications and argued that their clients are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case, counsel further argued that they are ready to furnish surety and will make ensure appearance each and every date of hearing, therefore, court may grant their after arrest bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, counsel granted their after arrest bail and directed them to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.
According to the FIR, on actionable information, customs officials intercepted wooden launch Al-Baba Misri Shah bearing registration no BFD-14265 valuing of Rs. 15,000,000.
Investigation officer submits that during the search, customs officials found 10 tanks fixed in the engine room of the launch containing 15,000 liters high speed diesel valuing of Rs7,65,000.
Customs officials asked them to produce legal documents, however, they failed to produce any lawful documents, therefore, after the formalities, customs officials seized goods along with launch and suspects were also taken into customs custody.
After the hearing, the court approved charge sheet, during the proceedings of the court, counsels for the suspects also filed their after arrest bail applications in which the court issued notices to the customs department and prosecutor for customs for the next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of section 2 (s) read with sections 156 (2), 157 (2) and 178 of the customs act, 1969 punishable under clause (89) of the section 156 (1) ibid read with section 3 (1) of the import and export control act, 1969.
