KARACHI: The Customs Court sent suspect namely Mehmood Ul Hassan, son of Abdul Karim, to Customs Preventive on physical remand, who was booked in a case of obstruction, hindrance, threatening, molestation and assaulting Customs officials in the discharge of duty and exercise of powers conferred under the provision of Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clause (85) of Section 156 (i) ibid.
On October 25, 2018, investigation officer produced the above-mentioned suspect along with first information report (FIR) and informed the court that on 22/10/2018 when the undersigned along with customs staff of investigation and prosecution branch visited at Pak International Goods Company situated under Native Jetty Flyover, Karachi in connection with the case FIR No ASO 298-HQ dated 02/10/2018.
He submitted that a person namely Muhammad Dawood was apprehended and he was brought to the Customs House in connecting with transporting of betel nuts. He was arrested and served with a notice at about 6.30pm. After spin of an hour of his arrest, the undersigned along with M/s Asfandyar, Daddam Hussain, Hassan Sardar and Zahid Shah was present in the office of I&P Branch, suddenly some persons directly entered the office in attacking manner and directly rushed toward the door of lockup.
Investigation officer further informed that arrested accused along with others entered the room and started threatening and abusing the government officials and department of the state and rescued the accused persons. He said the act of the said persons/culprits for entering the government office, threatening officers using abusive language and knowingly tried to rescue the arrested accused forcibly from customs custody.
He submitted that the commission of offence falls within the parameters of Clause 85 of Section 156 (i) ibid of Customs Act, 1969. He argued that prosecution needs further investigation from arrested accused; therefore, court may grant his physical remand. After the hearing, court granted his physical remand and directed investigation officer to produce him on next date of hearing.
