KARACHI: Mrs Sadaf Asif, Judge, Special Customs Court Karachi acquitted fice accused including custom officials in a case of misdeclaration.
The Directorate of Intelligence & Investigations (DIT) booked Malik Waqas Ahmed Proprietor of Messrs Regent Enterprises, Muhammad Ali of Marium Cargo, Muhammad Munaf, Riaz Ahmed, Examiner and Muhammad Akram Appraising Officer of Pakistan Customs in FIR No 595 dated 9-6-2013.
The accused through Franklin Law Associates filed acquittal application under section 265 K of the Cr.P.C. challenging the jurisdiction of the DIT within the port area. A counsel representing the accused on behalf of the law firm relied on case law PTCL 2015 CL 83.
The counsel further argued that DIT has mainly raised the issue of misdeclaration of origin of perfumes that the same were imported from Europe and America. The counsel relied on the report by the Valuation department when the case was referred by the Adjudicating Collectorate according to which the perfumes were of China origin.
The Special Public Prosecutor opposed the acquittal plea on ground that DIT intercepted the goods on credible information after which a joint examination was conducted in the presence of accused importer. The proceedings by DIT lead to assessed evasion of rupees 9,505,005 in custom duty and other taxes.
The trial court judge after detailed arguments from both sides acquitted the accused allowing the application.