KARACHI: The customs court framed charge against suspect namely Jawed son of Muhammad Iqbal, proprietor of M/s Iqra Corporation, who was nominated in first information report (FIR) for money laundering scam.
On 29 March 2022, during the hearing, above-mentioned accused appeared before the court on bail along with counsel, special prosecutor for customs department and investigation officer also attended the court.
After the formalities, court framed charge, however, suspect denied and stated that he will defend himself in the case and ready for trail, therefore, court summons to prosecution witnesses for next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the applicant/ accused had moved bail application and argued that his client is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case, who is ready to submit surety and ready to make sure for attendance this court on each and every date of hearing without fail, therefore, court may grant his bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, the court granted his bail and directed him to appear on the next date of hearing without fail.
Earlier, Investigation officer of Inland Revenue (IIR), Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Karachi had submitted interim charge sheet against above-mentioned accused persons and informed the court that during initial investigation and as per financial intelligence report, above mentioned accused is involved in tax evasion, which is a predicate offense under the anti-money laundering act, 2010, if tax sought to be evaded is exceeding Rs10 millions of more SRO 425(I)/2016 dated May 20, 2016.
He submitted that any property deprived or obtained directly or indirectly by any person from the commission of a predicate offense is referred to as proceed of crime, hence this offense initiated an enquiry in this regard, whether suspect has committed predicate offense specified under section XII-A in the schedule to the anti-money laundering act, 2010 and acquired assets from the proceed of crime and that the tax sought to be evaded in rupees or above.
He added that accused was found for submission for false statement and discrepancy in return of income and wealth statement as compared to hefty credit entries in bank accounts, mis-declaration of business activity as compared through scrutiny of AOF of banks and registration profile on FBR e-portal and evaded taxes amounting to Rs295, 334, 037.
