Rs3bn fraud case accused granted bail against surety bond of Rs100

ISLAMABAD: In an interesting turn of events, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted bail to Shahid Hussain Khawaja, a co-accused in the Rs3.20 billion sales tax fraud case, against the surety bond of meagre Rs100. 

The court declared the tax department's criminal probe as an excess of authority. 

IHC Justice Babar Sattar directed to send a copy of the court's order to Federal Bureau of Revenue's (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial. 

According to the verdict, the manager of a bank was arrested for helping in opening account at power company branch. It said that the state did not provide any material regarding the petitioner's involvement in the tax fraud crime. 

The court also said that the tax department did not determine the tax due on the taxpayer as per the law. Moreover, the verdict said that the tax department arrested the petitioner in violation of the Lahore High Court's verdict. 

The tax department initiated criminal proceedings despite being aware of the LHC's verdict, said the IHC, adding that the FBR chairman should distribute the copies of the LHC and IHC's judgments to the tax officers.

The court said in case of violation, the tax collection authority and the tax officers will face action for misuse of powers. 

The IHC further remarked that the legal and police powers delegated to public officials should be exercised in accordance with the law.