KARACHI: The Customs Court granted bail to applicants Aqeel Ahmed, clearing agent, Shafeeq Ahmed, owner of M/s Shafiq & Sons and others against the surety of Rs300,000, who were nominated in first information report (FIR) for illegal removal of into-bond goods by evading legitimate government revenue amounting to Rs17. 79 million registered by MCC PMBQ officials.
On 12 November 2021, counsel for the applicants argued that prosecution has failed to submit any proof against his clients and his clients have been involved in a false case, therefore, the court may grant their bail till final verdict in this case.
Earlier, investigation officer submitted interim charge and had informed the court that on an-actionable information, customs team visited the premises of the bond, as per its preliminary investigations, above mentioned importers imported 17 consignments of miscellaneous goods and filed in-bond goods declarations through clearing agent M/s Mass Brothers International for removal therefore to the aforesaid bond.
He further informs the court that thereafter, the goods were illegal and clandestinely removed without payment of leviable duty and taxes by the importer/ clearing agent.
Investigation officer added that as per stock-taking reports, the goods of 17 goods declarations cleared form MCC Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Karachi were found to have been illegally removed by the culprits, the rile of bonded warehouse titled M/s VIP Customs Bonded Warehouse, Karachi in the illegal removal of dutiable goods without actual payment in government treasury shall be determined during course of further investigation.