KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has accepted interim challan against the accused persons namely Shakilur Rahman son of Obaidur Rahman, proprietor of M/s Comprehensive Business International and Abaid ur Rahman son of Ali Hassan (late,) proprietor of M/s Kontal Technologies who were booked in mega tax evasion case.
During the hearing, Investigation Officer Farhat Ullah Jafri submitted interim challan before the court and informed that during the investigation, it was revealed that the suspects, in connivance with each other imported and cleared under-reference goods vide 10 goods declarations. They allegedly concealed actual transaction values of the goods through submission of manipulated/ bogus invoices evading thereby customs duty and other taxes amounting to Rs 13.9 million (customs duty Rs 46.9 million, additional custom duty Rs 309, 010, sale tax Rs 58.5 million, additional sales tax Rs 10.3 million and income tax Rs 2.3 million).
He further informed the court that accused have committed the offence of mis-declaration and fiscal fraud in terms of section 32 (1) & (2) and 32A read with sections 25, 79 (1) of the Customs Act, 1969, further read with sections 3, 6, 7-A, 33 and 34 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. Further read with section 148 (1) of the income tax ordinance, 2001 punishable under clauses (14) & (14A) of section 156 (1) of the customs act, 1990.
He requested the court that further investigation in the matter in in progress which require sufficient time to finalise in terms of section 344 Cr. PC and interim challan is filed for trial proceedings, after his arguments, court accepted interim challan and directed him to complete the investigation and submit final.
According to the prosecution, case was registered complainant by Jehanzeb Khan, Intelligence Officer, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR (Customs Enforcement), Regional Office Karachi.
As per interim challan, names of Ilyas Ahmed, Superintendent, Directorate, Intelligence & Investigation-FBR (Customs Enforcement), Abdul Rasheed, intelligence officer, Directorate, Intelligence & Investigation-FBR (Customs Enforcement) and Yawar Abbas, Directorate, Intelligence & Investigation-FBR (Customs Enforcement) Karachi were mentioned as witnesses.