KARACHI: The Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Anti-Smuggling Organisation, has registered the First Information Report against accused, Muhammad Ali Alwani, who was found allegedly involved in tax evading of amount around Rs64, 15, 255/-, and started investigation regarding the matter.
The complainant, Senior Preventive Officer, Customs House, Iftikhar Hassan Khan, in the FIR mentioned that Alwani (absconder) was using smuggled or non-duty paid vehicle Toyota Prado Tx Jeep, Registration No: BF-9154, which was seen on roads in vicinity of Zainab Market, Saddar, Karachi.
As per the FIR, other description of Toyota Prado Jeep is, Chassis No:NZJ120-0002890, Engine No:5VZ1633048, Model 2002, 3400 CC, while in colour and used in condition and the appraisement collectorate estimate its worth around Rs24, 23, 267/- .
The FIR mentioned that a team was constituted after receiving credible information and the Customs team found the Toyota Prado was parked on the road near Zainab Market. The occupant of the vehicle, Muhammad Ali Alwani, introduced himself as a owner to the visiting team, who was asked to produce the documents to substantiate the legal possession/importation of the said vehicle, to which he shows a file containing registration and auction documents of the vehicle.
The FIR revealed that documents depicted that the vehicle was purchased through public auction held at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and showing the successful bidder name as Mustan Khan.
It also mentioned that as there were solid evidences about smuggled/non-duty paid vehicle, it was taken into possession for verification of documents in presences of musheers namly Muhammad Tahseen and Muhammad Aamir under musheernama prepared on the spot.
According to the FIR, the vehicle was brought to ASO/HQ and detailed examination was carried out in presence of both musheers. The occupant had provided (a) letter number Q-19/Sep/2014, (b) proforma showing details of examination sheet LOT No2-19/Sep-14, (c) delivery order number 001599 of M/s Moinuddin Chishti (auctioneer), (d) tax payment receipt amounting Rs87, 500/-, which were forwarded to the Principal Appraiser (Auction) MCC Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi.
However, the FIR stated that in response, the Assistant Collector of Customs (Auction) MCC Port Muhammad Bin Qasim through a letter number SI/Misc/AUC/22/2016-PQ confirmed that the vehicle Toyota Prado Tx Chassis No:NJZ120-0002890 Engine No:5VZ-1633048, Model 2002, capacity 3400 CC, has not been auctioned by that Collectorate and the documents provided by the claimant/owner of the seized vehicle are fake and not issued by this Collectorate.
It also mentioned that on further inquiry, forensic test report No: AIG/FD/Veh/OR/144/2017 received from AIG Police, Forensic Division, confirmed that no other number has been deciphered under the present chassis serial (VZJ120-0002890).
The FIR also shows that the vehicle has been seized for violating Section 2(s) and 178 of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under clause (8) and (89) of Section 156(I) ibid and notices have been issued to claimant/registered owner of the seized vehicle and investigation is in progress.
