Petitioner denies promoting gambling apps, calls FIR baseless and damaging to reputation
LAHORE: A local court in Lahore has issued a notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) after popular YouTuber Ducky Bhai (real name: Saad ur Rehman) filed a bail application in a case registered against him under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The bail plea was heard by Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo, who directed the NCCIA to submit a response to the petition. The application was submitted through Ducky Bhai’s legal counsel, Usman Mushtaq.
Petitioner Denies Allegations, Calls Case Harassment
In the plea, the petitioner strongly denied all allegations, asserting that he had no connection with the offence mentioned in the FIR. He claimed the case was maliciously registered to harass him and tarnish his public image.
Ducky Bhai is accused of allegedly promoting gambling applications, but according to the application, the FIR fails to mention any specific app that was officially banned in Pakistan at the time of the alleged incident.
Furthermore, the petition argued that:
-
No evidence was presented during the investigation proving he held any administrative role (e.g., country head) in connection with the said platforms.
-
No complainant has come forward in the case.
-
No proof of online fraud has been established.
-
The charges under Sections 13 and 14 of PECA are not applicable, and
-
Section 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code — the only other section invoked — is a bailable offence.
‘Case Aims to Damage Reputation’
The application concluded by stating that the sole purpose of the case was to damage the YouTuber’s reputation and disrupt his career. The counsel requested the court to grant bail in the interest of justice and fair proceedings.
The court has now sought a formal response from the NCCIA, and the case will be taken up again once the agency replies.
