KARACHI: The Customs Court directed investigation officer of Inland Revenue (IR) to complete investigation and submit progress report against suspect namely Syed Zamin Raza Gagree, owner of M/s Crescent & Yasdan, who was booked in Rs56.126 million sales taxes evasion scam.
On 6 November 2020, investigation officer submitted first information report (FIR) before the court and informed that during the investigation, it was revealed that the above mentioned accused including others, registered and un-registered persons who are directly, indirectly knowingly, dishonestly, fraudulently and without any lawful excuse are the beneficiaries and whose criminal negligence and connivance by any act or caused to do any act, omitted to take any action including the making of supplies of taxable goods without payment of sales tax leviable under sales tax act, 1990.
He further informed the court that suspect claiming illegal sales tax refund on the strength of fake/ flying invoices and fake zero rated supplies fraudulently operated active without payments of sales tax have committed tax fraud as defined under section 2(37) of the sales tax act, 1990.
After the hearing, court took FIR into court record and directed him to complete investigation and submit progress report for next date of hearing.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2(9), 2 (16), 2 (17), 2 (37), 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 22, 23, 26, 37 and 73 of the sales tax act, 1990 read with sales tax refund rules, 2006 and punishable under section 33 & 34 of the sales tax act 1990 and section 468, 471 & 420 of Pakistan Penal Code 1860.
