A Lahore court has extended the physical remand of six National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) officials accused of bribery in connection with the Ducky Bhai case. The officials allegedly took Rs9 million from the YouTuber’s wife in exchange for undue favour during an ongoing inquiry.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) presented the accused before the court following the completion of their earlier remand. The officials in custody include Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry, along with Zafar, Shoaib Riaz, Ali Raza, Mujtaba Zafar, and Yasir.
FIA Reports Significant Cash Recovery
During the hearing, the FIA prosecutor informed the court that the case involved financial misconduct requiring further investigation. He stated that Rs45.8 million had been recovered from the suspects so far, exceeding the originally alleged bribe amount. The agency argued that the accused must remain in custody to identify additional victims and trace remaining funds.
The FIA maintained that the case involved “misuse of authority” and manipulation of an active inquiry for personal benefit. The prosecutor said ongoing investigations could uncover more evidence of financial wrongdoing.
Defence Challenges FIA’s Claims
The defence counsel strongly opposed the FIA’s request for further remand. He questioned the credibility of the agency’s claims, noting that the alleged bribe was Rs9 million while recoveries were reported at over Rs45 million. He argued that the FIA was “searching for a complainant” despite no individual stepping forward to record a statement.
He further contended that the case lacked a direct complainant, making the agency’s investigation questionable. The defence maintained that no statements had been recorded against the accused and requested the court to deny the remand extension.
Court’s Decision and Case Background
After hearing both sides, the court reserved its decision and later announced a three-day extension of physical remand. The FIA will continue its probe into the alleged corruption and possible links to financial manipulation within the agency.
The case gained public attention after YouTuber Saadur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, was arrested in August at Lahore airport. Authorities accused him of promoting online gambling and betting applications, including Binomo and 1xBet, through his YouTube channel.
According to the official First Information Report (FIR), the case was filed under sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, along with related sections of the Pakistan Penal Code concerning fraud and obscenity.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation continues as authorities aim to uncover the full extent of the alleged bribery network. The FIA’s findings may reveal whether the accused officials manipulated their positions to extract bribes under the guise of cybercrime enforcement.
As the inquiry progresses, questions remain about transparency within cybercrime enforcement bodies and the impact of such scandals on the credibility of digital law enforcement in Pakistan.
