KARACHI: The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling on Friday rejected the bail applications of three accused persons who are behind the bars for their alleged involvement in smuggling of 34 tons of poppy seed to Malaysia.
Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi dismissed the bail applications after hearing arguments from both sides.
According to the prosecution, the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation had seized around 34 tons of poppy seed from two containers on August 11, 2015. The poppy seed was being smuggled to Malaysia under the garb of sea salt from Karachi Port.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered against exporter Asif Malik of Shah Plastic Industries, his business associate Syed Hassan Ali Gillani, clearing agent DJ Connections’ proprietor Tanseel Ahmed Dar, and his employee Muhammad Hafeez and Sarfaraz Mirani.
At the outset, Investigation officer Farhatullah Jafri submitted the charge-sheet to the court, declaring two accused Mirani and Dar as absconders. The court issued non-bailable warrants for their arrest and directed the IO to ensure that they are arrested.
Advocate Sardar Muhammad Ishaque filed the applications on behalf of the suspects – Asif, Gillani and Hafeez seeking their release on bail.
Refuting allegations of his clients’ involvement in smuggling of poppy seed, he said, they are innocent and implicated in the crime. There was no documentary evidence on record to show that Gillani was the associate of the exporter he said adding that on mere statement of the prosecution witness he was nominated in the case.
He said that Mirani is the main accused who used ID of the exporter Asif, however, Hafeez was implicated because he is the employee of the clearing agent but there is no evidence to show his involvement in the crime. He pleaded with the court to order his clients’ release on bail.
Opposing the bail pleas of the suspects, the customs prosecutor said, the statements of the prosecution witnesses recorded by the IO show active involvement of the suspects in the crime, therefore, they are not entitled for such concessions.
