KARACHI: The Customs Court granted interim pre-arrest bail to suspect namely Umer Farooq, owner of M/s Lucky Star Steel Industries against the surety of Rs500,000, who was booked for illegal removal of in-bonded plastic moulding (compound) & secondary galvanized steel coils and evasion of duties and taxes.
On May 23, 2019, counsel for the accused appeared before the court and moved pre-arrest bail, he argued that applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to face trail, however, he has apprehension of arrest, therefore, court may grant him pre-arrest bail till final verdict in this case.
After the hearing, court granted his interim pre-arrest bail against the surety of Rs500,000 and directed him to appear before the court for next date of hearing or otherwise.
According to the prosecution, on a credible information was received to the Appraisement East that the consignments of iron steel sheets/ coils imported and in-bonded warehouse of M/s General Services have been illegally removed by the above mentioned importer in connivance with the warehouse keeper and their accomplices without payment of leivable duties and taxes and without filing ex-bond goods declaration.
He further submitted that on that information, a team of customs department raided the said warehouse location and during the raid, it was revealed that two goods declarations weighing 1002310 kg iron steel coils/ sheets from M/s Lucky Star Steel Industries and 495000 kg plastic moulding from M/s Steel Co have been removed from the warehouse illegally without payment of leviable customs duties and other taxes.
He revealed that after the formalities, two separate cases were registered against owner of M/s Lucky Star Steel Industries, Muhammad Idress and Muhammad Arif, warehouse keepers and others for illegal removal of in-bonded goods without filing of ex-bond GD, thus evading legitimate government revenue.
After the hearing, court had taken FIR into its record and directed him to complete investigation and submit charge sheet on next date of hearing.
