KARACHI: The Customs officials have informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that petitioners are involved in smuggling of betel nuts etc and they have not come up with clean hands, therefore, court may dismiss their petition which was filed by Shahid Ul Hakeem and others booked in a first information report (FIR) for smuggling of betel nuts etc.
On 10 November 2021, a two-member bench heard the matter, after submission of customs department reply, court directed counsel for the petitioner to file rejoinder for next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for Noor Ul Hakeem and others argues that, customs officials made a FIR and claimed that on an actionable information, customs officials intercepted a Hino truck and driver was signaled to stop, the truck driver who was later on identified the name of Imroz Khan responded and stopped the tuck, cursory search of the loaded truck was conducted in presence of witnesses’ sepoys.
He argues that driver informed that he just picked this betel nut bags on rent for transportation to Karachi, as he could not produce any legal documents and no one was present there to claim the ownership of the goods.
He further argues that on the basis of the above said FIR, the case has been handed over to the investigation officer, who with the malafide intention and ulterior motives issued the notice to the petitioners without any cogent reason, due to that reason the petitioner having no concerned with the alleged truck as well as case property.
Citing Ministry of Customs, Collector of Customs Karachi and Muhammad Ali Investigation officer as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to direct them to take the legal/ department action against the investigation officer of the FIR/ this case so also provide the legal protection to the petitioner and his brother namely Shahid Ul Hakeem from the hands of the investigation officer.
He further pleaded the court may quash the FIR due to no name of the petitioner and his brother were mentioned in the FIR.
