KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted interim pre-arrest bail to accused person namely Musarat Bano wife of Muhammad Asif who was booked in a case of evasion of duty and taxes amounting to Rs 750 million.
During the hearing of the case, the court issue notice to special prosecutor of the Customs Department and called police papers and directed her to join the investigation if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on the next date of hearing. The hearing was adjourned for March 18, 2017.
During the hearing, counsel for the accused filed an application for interim pre-arrest bail, counsel argued that accused is innocent and was falsely implicated in this case, she is ready for face trail, however, she has apprehension of arrest therefore, court may grant her bail till final disposal of this case.
After the hearing, court granted her bail and observed in its order that, without touching the merits of the case, ad-interim pre-arrest bail is granted to said accused subject to furnish surety in the sum of Rs. 200, 000 with P.R bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court.
According to the prosecution, case was registered against above named accused and others in violation of section (37) 3 (9) 2 (14) (a) 3, 6, 7, 8 (1) (a) & (d) 8A, 22 (1) 8A, 22 (1) 23 (1) 25, 26 (1) and 73 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 punishable under clauses 33 (3) (5) (8) (11c) (13) (16) (18) ibid.