By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
Court Grants FIA Three-Day Physical Remand
A Lahore court on Tuesday handed over six officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a three-day physical remand. The officials are facing serious bribery allegations in connection with the high-profile YouTuber Ducky Bhai case.
According to details, the FIA produced the arrested NCCIA officials before a local court, accusing them of receiving Rs9 million in bribes from the wife of YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai. After hearing the arguments, the judicial magistrate announced the reserved verdict, granting the FIA’s request for physical remand to further interrogate the accused and recover the alleged bribe amount.
Officials Accused of Misuse of Authority
The arrested officers include Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz, Zafar, Shoaib Riaz, Ali Raza, Mujtaba Zafar, and Yasir. The FIA confirmed that a formal case has been registered against them under charges of “misuse of authority” and accepting bribes to influence an ongoing inquiry in favor of a complainant.
The allegations suggest that the NCCIA officials used their official positions to manipulate the investigation process in exchange for monetary benefits. This case has once again brought attention to the issue of corruption within law enforcement and regulatory bodies in Pakistan.
Defense Argues Against FIA’s Remand Request
During the hearing, Advocate Ali Ashfaq represented the accused NCCIA officials and strongly opposed the FIA’s plea for physical remand. He argued that the arrests were made without the approval of the Director General of FIA, which, according to him, is a violation of procedural law.
Ashfaq also pointed out that the complaint against the officers lacked key information, including the address of the person who allegedly paid the bribe. He questioned the speed at which the case was filed, highlighting that the First Information Report (FIR) was registered merely 20 minutes after the complaint was submitted. The defense requested the court to dismiss the FIA’s request for remand, citing procedural lapses and insufficient evidence.
After listening to arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, the court reserved its decision before eventually granting the FIA three days of physical custody for investigation.
Background: The Ducky Bhai Case
The controversy stems from the arrest of YouTuber Saadur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, who was detained in August at Lahore airport by the NCCIA. The agency had registered a case against him on August 17, acting on a state complaint.
According to the FIR, the charges against the YouTuber fall under sections 13, 14, 25, and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, along with sections 294-B and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The report alleges that Ducky Bhai was involved in promoting online gambling and betting platforms, including Binomo and 1xBet, through his YouTube channel.
The bribery scandal involving the NCCIA officials has added a new layer of complexity to the already controversial Ducky Bhai case, raising questions about the integrity and transparency of cybercrime investigations in Pakistan.