KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has directed investigation officer to produce witnesses against a suspect, Amir Shaukat, who was booked in a mega tax evasion and mis-declaration case.
On the last date of hearing, the suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel and moved a petition for bail. The counsel argued that his client was innocent and was falsely implicated in this case, and that his client was ready to face trail, therefore, the court might grant him bail till final judgment of the case.
After his arguments, the court had granted him pre-arrest bail against the surety of Rs 100,000 and directed the suspect to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.
Court also issued notices to the customs officials and special prosecutor for customs department and directing them to file their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing.
It needs to be mentioned here when first information report (FIR) was produced before the court, suspect namely Amir Shoukat son of Shoukat Hayat showed as absconder now he moved the court and filed bail petition for bail. However, several other suspects are still absconder in this case.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under section 2 (37) 2 (9) 2 (14) a 3 (1) (a) & (b) (1) & (2) (1) (11) & (1) (a) (ca) & (d) & 21, 22(1) 23 (1) 25, 26 (1) and 73 of Sales Tax Act, 1990 punishable under section 33 (3) (5) (8) (11c) (13) (16) (68) ibid.