KARACHI: The Customs Court granted interim pre-arrest bail to suspect namely Arsalan Akram son of Akram Rasheed owner of M/s Arsalan Company and others and directed them to join investigation, who were nominated in first information report (FIR) for mis-declaration and concealment of actual description, specifications and constituent material to deceive application of correct assessable value.
On 21 January 2021, counsel for accused appeared before the court and submitted applications for pre-arrest bail, counsel argued that their clients are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case, who are ready to face trial, therefore, the court may grant their bail till final judgment in this case.
After the hearing, the court granted their bail against the surety of Rs200,000 and issued notice to investigation officer and special prosecutor for customs for the next date of hearing, court also called police paper and directed suspects to join investigation if and when required by the investigation officer.
Earlier, Investigation officer of Collectorate of Customs Appraisement & Facilitation Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Karachi has submitted first information report and informed the court that M/s Arsalan Company electronically filed goods declarations through their clearing agent M/s Jazee International for the imports of consignments declared to contain NGK brand spark plugs for 4 wheelers of Japan Origin, beside other items, at a declared invoices value US$ 110,903.03, 187, 904. 64 and 53, 890.30 total value of US$ 352, 697.98 and determined his liability of payment of applicable duties & taxes and sought clearance under section 79(I) of the customs act, 1969.
The goods declaration was selected through the system for examination, on examination the declared description and part number were verified and spark plugs for four wheelers were assessed on available evaluation ruling which was meant for non-iridium carbon tips spark plugs for Japan Origin.
Investigation officer further submitted that during the investigation, it was established that the above-mentioned importer with active connivance of his clearing agent has mis-declared the description by not declaring the correct information regarding constituent material of spark plugs tip aiming to defraud the national exchequer of its legitimate revenue to the tune of Rs63, 039, 664 willfully and with mala fide intention on account of customs duty and other taxes.
