KARACHI: Hearing an application filed in a Special Criminal Appeal filed by Muhammad Asad, through law firm Franklin Law Associates, a customs appellate bench of High Court of Sindh ordered return of passport to the applicant accused acquitted by the trial court (Special Customs Court, Karachi).
The counsel appearing for the applicant maintained that passport was deposited as per orders of the honorable court pursuant to order passed by the trial court besides surety of rupees 2500,000 for each accused (four accused in all facing trial).
The applicant/accused was later acquitted by the trial court against which customs department has filed a Criminal Acquittal Appeal No 04 of 2022.
An Assistant Attorney General appearing for the State opposed the application on ground that once surety is released they will not appear in the acquittal appeal.
To a question by the bench, AAG conceded that notice is not issued in this appeal and that passport of three co-accused was not deposited as security and it I the passport of accused/applicant Muhammad Asad lying as security.
The bench after hearing the sides ordered release of passport to the applicant while application for return of surety amount was deferred. The bench said that it will first examine the appeal before deciding this application. The bench ordered tagging of the application with the main acquittal appeal.