KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi sent an accused Ashok P. Jethmilani S/o Jethmilani to customs lack-up on physical remand who was arrested after the rejection of a bail application. He was booked in a case of attempt to smuggle non-duty-paid 5844 win bottles.
After the hearing, the court granted his physical remand and directed the investigation officer to produce him on the next date of hearing along with a progress report.
It needs to be pertained here that, on the last date of hearing, the suspect had appeared before the court and moved a bail application. The counsel argued that the applicant has falsely been implicated by the agency in the case. He further argued that there is no evidence available on record against the applicant neither he had the connivance nor had any knowledge about the alleged offence and seized goods were replaced by the watch and ward of warehouse therefore court may grant him bail.
However Ashiq Ali Anwar Rana, Special Prosecutor for the Customs Department, argued that the applicant is deeply involved in illegally and fraudulently removal/replacement of items as alleged in the charge sheet therefore bail application may be rejected.
The court rejected the bail and observed that a specific role has been attributed to the applicant/ accused being owner of warehouse and he is fully responsible for removal of the goods in question from the warehouse. The alleged offence is against the society and as such the accused does not deserve the concession of bail, so no case for grant of bail is made therefore bail application is rejected.