KARACHI: Customs (Taxation & Anti-Smuggling) Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi granted an interim pre-arrest bail to accused named Fahad Idrees S/o Muhammad Idress booked in a case of non-duty-paid/smuggled Toyota Crown Saloon car with registration N0: BEZ-998.
During the hearing, accused moved an application for pre-arrest bail. The counsel argued that his client is innocent and was falsely implicated in this case. His counsel moved application for protective bail before the High Court of Balochistan, Quetta, which granted his 18-day protective bail against the surety of Rs500000 and now accused surrendered himself to this court.
After his arguments, court granted his bail and observed in its order that “Without touching the merits of the case, an interim pre-arrest bail is granted to accused by furnishing surety in the sum of Rs200000 each with PR bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court.
The court also directed accused to join investigation if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on the next date of hearing. The court also called the police papers and issued notice to special prosecutor for the Customs Department.
According to the prosecution, on a tip-off dated 12/08/2016, officials of the Anti-Smuggling Organization recovered the said car on RCD Highway near Customs Moachko Choke Point Karachi. After the formalities, a case was registered against the accused in violation of Section 2 (s) 32 and 178 of Customs Act-1969 punishable under clauses (8) (89) and (14) of section 156 (1) ibid.
