LAHORE: A local court on Monday extended the physical remand of six officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), who are facing allegations of taking bribes in connection with the case involving YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) produced the accused — including Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry — before the court upon completion of their previous remand. The other officials were identified as Zafar, Shoaib Riaz, Ali Raza, Mujtaba Zafar, and Yasir.
According to FIA investigators, the officials allegedly accepted Rs9 million in bribes from Ducky Bhai’s wife to influence the outcome of a cybercrime inquiry.
During the hearing, the FIA requested an extension in physical remand, arguing that the case involved financial fraud and that investigators were still collecting statements from victims. The prosecutor informed the court that Rs45.8 million had so far been recovered from the accused.
The agency maintained that further custody was essential to trace additional victims and recover the remaining funds.
However, the suspects’ counsel, Mian Ali Ashfaq, opposed the request, contending that the complainant had alleged a loss of only Rs9 million while the FIA had already shown recoveries exceeding that amount. He also questioned the legitimacy of the investigation, noting that “there is no direct complainant in the case, and the FIA itself is now searching for one.”
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision before later announcing that the physical remand of all six suspects would be extended by three days.
The FIA has registered a case against the accused officials for “misuse of authority” and accepting bribes to influence a cybercrime inquiry.
It may be recalled that YouTuber Ducky Bhai was arrested by the NCCIA in August at the Lahore airport. The FIR registered against him included sections 13, 14, 25, and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, as well as Sections 294-B and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
He is accused of promoting online gambling and betting platforms, including Binomo and 1xBet, through his YouTube channel, according to the FIA.
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