KARACHI: The Customs Collectorate of Preventive has registered a First Information Report against two suspects in non-duty paid Toyota Hilux Surf case.
Senior Preventive Officer, Customs House, Iftikhar Hassan Khan, in the FIR stated that a customs team, under the supervision of Iftikhar Khan, recovered a smuggled/non-duty paid vehicle, Toyota Hilux Surf, bearing registration no: CV-4267 from two suspects, Shahnawaz and Zerena Noor, from Khayaban-e-Ittahad locality in Karachi. On the occasion, Shahnawaz introduced himself as the owner of the vehicle. The officials said that both the suspects, who were now absconders, were using the vehicle illegally.
According to the FIR, Shahnawaz was asked to produce the documents to substantiate the lawful import, procurement and possession of the vehicle, to which he showed a printout of payment challan no:063804 dated 07/10/2015 issued from Motor Registration Wing Karachi and a photocopy of ‘issue voucher’ bearing D/Order No:133 of 22/03/2008, which depicted that the vehicle was purchased through public auction held at HQ-108 Ordinance Company at Gilgit in the name of Ahmed Nawaz son of Mithoo Khan.
The FIR revealed that vehicle was taken into custody in the presence of sepoy Muhammad Aamir and sepoy Abid Ali and it was brought to ASO headquarters at Wharf, Karachi, for examination and investigation.
It also mentioned that Toyota Hilux Surf, having chassis no:R2N-1859039075, engine no:07942258, model 2001, 2694CC white in colour and in used condition, has appraised of Rs 2.13 million.
As per the FIR, separate inventory including mentioned details and accessories was also prepared in presence of both sepoys as well as occupant of the vehicle, which was detained for verification of records, police forensic examination and verification.
It stated that the Lt. Col. Yousuf Khan Babar, the Officer Commanding of HQ 108 Ordinance Company, Gilgit, confirmed that the voucher, shown by the accused, was not issued nor forwarded by their office while the stamps and seals of 108 Ordinance Unit as well as signatures of officer commanding on that voucher were fake. Moreover, he claimed that the vehicle in question was not auctioned by their office.
The FIR shows that further inquiry and forensic test report No: AIG/ FD/ Veh/ OR/ 129/2017 confirmed that no other number has been deciphered under the present chassis serial (RZN185-9039075).
It also shows that M/s PRAL Customs, User Support Group, Customs House Karachi, clarified that no record was found against the import of said vehicle. Motor Registering Authority, Karachi could not provide copies of the documents despite repeated reminders.
The FIR added that MRA, Karachi, provided mere particulars shows that Zareena Noor owned the vehicle which has similar registration number. “In light of all verification reports, it has been established that the registration was done on basis of fake, forged and fabricated documents produced by the owner and 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.”
The FIR also mentioned that notices under U/s 171 of the Customs Act, 1969, have been issued to the people involved in this matter while investigation was in progress.
