KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi on Tuesday extended physical remand of suspect namely Babar Sultan, Chief Finance Officer of M/s Digicom (Q-Mobile) Trading, who was booked for attempting to smuggle more than 78,000 mobile phones in the garb of LED lights (bulbs).
During the hearing, the investigation officer informed the court that the prosecution needs further investigation from the suspect, therefore, the court may send him back to the Customs Department.
Earlier, the court had recalled his interim pre-arrest bail, during the hearing. The counsel for the customs authorities argued that prosecution had concrete evidence against the M/s Digicom Trading and the suspect played a key role in this scam, therefore, the court may reject his bail.
After the arguments, the court had recalled interim pre-arrest bail which was granted earlier by this court. After recalling his bail, the customs officials arrested him.
On last date of hearing, suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel who moved petition for after arrest bail and argued that his client is innocent and was been falsely implicated in this case, therefore court may granted his bail, after the arguments, court granted him interim bail.
Earlier, investigation officer informed the court that on a credible information, a team Intelligence and Investigation raided at Bungalow No 107/1 Lane 10, Kheaban-Rahan DHA Karachi and during the search recovered 78,160 foreign origin mobile phones from 3908 cartons.
He further informed the court that after formalities officials of the Customs I&I seized mobile phones and shifted at investigation office and notice under section 171 also issued to the M/s Digicom Trading Company.
According to the prosecution was registered for violation of under section 2 (s) 16, 32 (1) & (2) 32A, 79, 80, 157 and 178 of the customs act, 1969 read with import policy order 2016 punishable under section 156 (1) (8) (89) (9) (9) (14) (14A) (43) (44) (45) & 156 (2) ibid read with section 3, 6, 7A, 33, 34 of the sales tax act, 1990, further read with section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.