HC dismisses MP's plea for discharge from Customs case

Kochi, Apr 7 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today dismissed the plea of P V Abdul Wahab, MP, and NRI businessman, seeking discharge from a case under the Customs Act for allegedly furnishing false information before the Customs while importing a Mercedez Benz car from Dubai.

Justice K Padmanabhan Nair upheld the finding of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences), Ernakulam, to the effect that there are materials to frame charges against Mr Wahab.

The High Court said the finding of the magistrate was ''perfectly correct'' on merits also and did not call for any interference.

Challenging the magisterial order, Mr Wahab contended that there were no admissible or legally sustainable materials to proceed against him.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had initiated prosecution proceedings against Mr Wahab in 1998. It was alleged that the first accused Fazal Rahman Kottargadan imported the car at the instance of Mr Wahab.

The Court directed the magistrate to try and dispose of the case expeditiously.

UNI XR ARC TM RAI2116