KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to suspects namely Muhammad Saleem son of Muhammad Hussain, Noor Ahmed son of Muhammad Hussain, Muhammad Ayaz Khan son of Sher Afzal, who were booked in tax evasion case.
On September 10, 2018, counsel for the accused moved bail petition and argued that their clients are innocents and were falsely implicated in this case; however they are ready to face trail; therefore, the court may grant them bail till final order in this case. After the hearing, court granted them bail and also directed them to appear on next date of hearing.
Earlier, Investigation Officer Ashfaq-ur-Rehman has submitted in interim challan that M.I Traders based in Lahore imported a consignment from Turkey and filed goods declaration for clearance, thereof the value of the goods was shown as US$17,237.80 and the customs duty was paid Rs1,723, 841 and the goods were released.
He further submitted that on the basis of credible information, the customs authority found that the goods were mis-declared later on it was found that the imported goods were worth US$ 39,708.66 and value was mis-declared resulting in evasion of customs duty of Rs2,293,118.
He further informed that accused namely Muahmmad Ilyas, partner of M/s M.I Traders and Muhammad Hanif son of Muhammad Hussain, importer of firm, are still absconders in this case and prosecution is trying its best to arrest them.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for evasion of duties and taxes through submission of fake and forged documents showing under invoiced/suppressed transaction value of the goods and violation of Section 32-A, 79, & 192 of the Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Clause 14-A, 46 & 86 of Section 156 (1) of the Customs Act, 1969 read with allied laws.