KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted interim pre-arrest bail to suspects, Muhammad Nabeel Khan and Yasir who were allegedly involved in keeping a smuggled/ non-duty paid Toyota Hilux Surf, jeep bearing registration no BF-6536 model 1998 in their custody.
During the hearing, both the accused appeared before the court along with their counsels and moved applications for pre-arrest bail. The counsels argued that their clients were innocents and were falsely implicated in this case and that they are ready to face trail, however, they have apprehensions of arrest, therefore and court may grant them bail till final disposal of this case.
After his hearing, the court granted them bail and observed in its order that, “Without touching the merits of the case, ad-interim pre-arrest bail is granted to said accused subject to furnish surety in the sum of Rs 200,000 each with P.R bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court.
Customs Court directed accused to join investigation if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on next date of hearing. Court also called the police papers and issued notice to special prosecutor for customs department.
According to the prosecution, on a credible information, staff of the customs department intercepted the said vehicle near Sultanabad Karachi and case was registered against the above mentioned accused persons in violation of section 2 (s) 23 and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clause (8) (89) and 14 of section 156 (i)ibid.