KARACHI: The Special Custom and Taxation Court on Thursday rejected bail plea of an importer who allegedly imported dutiable goods of Indian origin under the guise of used cloths, causing Rs 5.62 millions loss to the national exchequer.
Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi dismissed the bail plea after hearing arguments from both sides. Applicant Muhammad Shahid filed the application seeking his release on bail.
According to the custom officials, M/s Mass International claimed that it imported a consignment of used clothes comprising used HHR mix trousers, blankets, zipper jackets used 1MM and sought release thereof vide GD KAPE-HC-155897 on June 6, 2015. The importer paid the upfront taxes of the entire consignment amounting to Rs 96,568/-. The deputy collector became suspicious about origin of the goods and ordered its examination.
On physical examination, the goods consisting of baby frocks, polyester vest for girls/ladies, viscose, printed shirts, trousers and shorts of Indian origin were found.
The importer M/s Mass International had attempted to import restricted/dutiable goods of Indian origin under the guise of used cloths. This deliberate attempt of mis-declaration deprived national exchequer of its legitimate revenue to the tune of Rs 5.62 million.
The applicant’s counsel Khalid Nawaz Khan Marwat said that Shahid was not an importer nor he had booked the consignment. He added his client was implicated in the case as the custom authorities had failed to place on record the documents substantiating their claims about Shahid’s involvement in corrupt practices. Therefore, he pleaded with the judges to order his release on bail.
