KARACHI: The court of Special Judge, Customs, Excise and Taxation Karachi acquitted an accused Muhammad Ismail son of Raza Muhammad in a case registered against him under section 156(1) (89) of Customs Act 1969.
The accused was booked on charge of claimant/owner of an alleged smuggled Toyota Mark-X car bearing Registration Number BT-448, Islamabad. The vehicle was detained on 27-8-2019 from near National Hospital. Muhammad Arif was in driving seat and said he is an auto-mechanic and one Muhammad Ismail was owner of the said vehicle.
The owner was asked to present import and other documents which were produced but still a case was registered. The matter went up to the Collector of Adjudication who held that the said vehicle was cleared by MCC-Peshawar under Amnesty Scheme 2013 as confirmed by the said collectorate. It was also held that Chassis No was also not tampered as per report by Forensic Department, Sindh Police. The claimant has also paid Rupees 1,447,740 as custom duty, taxes etc.
A counsel from law firm Franklin Law Associates appearing for the applicant/ accused prayed for acquittal of the applicant under section 265-K on grounds that no case is made out after Adjudication Proceedings. It was further contended that there is no possibility of the conviction of accused/applicant as no evidence or adverse material is available on record against the accused.
The trial court after hearing the counsel for customs as well as accused agreed with the arguments advanced by counsel from Franklin Law and recorded acquittal of the applicant/accused Muhammad Ismail.