Despite the Customs Court's order, Ayyan Ali failed to get her passport back on Saturday. The passport was belatedly shown as case property. Ayyan had to face disappointment when she was informed that the concerned judge was on leave. The duty judge also refused to accept her surety bonds, saying she could get her passport back only from the trial court.
Earlier on Wednesday, Customs Court had ordered for returning Ayyan's passport. While directing the Customs officials to return the passport, the court had ordered Ayyan to submit two surety bonds worth Rs 1 million along with personal guarantees. She was also asked by the court to appear in person whenever required for investigation. According to the verdict, a decision in the currency smuggling case can take time and Ayyan cannot be deprived of her passport for a long time as the Constitution has given the right of travelling to every citizen.
She had pleaded not guilty after she was indicted in the currency smuggling case on November 20. As per law, no-one can carry over $10,000 on a flight, but authorities had found $506,800 tucked in her luggage. She filed a petition seeking her passport, which was seized along with other goods, citing that she never intended to take any foreign currency out of the country and she had failed in her attempt to seek acquittal under section 265-k of Criminal Procedure Code (Power of Court to acquit accused at any stage). The petition stated that she is required to fulfil her contracts of international companies as they have threatened of compensatory consequences in case of further delay at her end.
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