KARACHI: Justice Nazar Akbar of High Court of Sindh (SHC) yesterday granted bail to an applicant/accused Abdul Ghaffar accused in smuggling case of betel nuts against a solvent surety of rupees.
Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate appearing for the applicant maintained that the vehicles and betel nuts consignment, both were claimed by their owners. The applicant was a driver who was asked to transport ‘bilty’ from one place to another. He has neither the knowledge nor had any connection with the banned item. The custom authorities have passed an ONO in favor of the owners which belies the accusation of smuggling against the present applicant accused.
She further told the court that trial court, special customs court’s link judge Tariq Khosa dismissed the bail plea on ground that accused was booked in an identical case earlier too.
The bench after hearing the arguments as well as perusing the orders in original admitted the accused to bail against a solvent surety of rupees 50,000.