A Lahore court on Monday extended the physical remand of six National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) officials accused of taking bribes in the high-profile Ducky Bhai case. The suspects, including Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry, were presented before the court after the expiry of their previous remand. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the court that it had so far recovered Rs45.8 million from the accused and required further custody for investigation.
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The FIA prosecutor stated that the case involves serious financial misconduct and potential misuse of authority within the cybercrime department. He argued that the recovered amount suggests deeper irregularities than initially reported and that investigators are working to identify additional victims. The prosecutor emphasized that the suspects’ continued remand was necessary to track the money trail and recover remaining funds obtained through alleged bribery.
Meanwhile, the suspects’ lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, strongly opposed the FIA’s plea for an extension, calling the case “legally inconsistent.” He argued that the complainant’s alleged payment was only Rs9 million, while the FIA claims to have recovered Rs45.8 million, which raises serious doubts about the investigation’s credibility. The defense further contended that no complainant or witness has come forward to record a statement against the officials, making the FIA’s case appear weak and speculative.
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After hearing arguments from both sides, the judicial magistrate reserved the verdict before announcing a three-day extension in the suspects’ physical remand. The court directed the FIA to submit an updated investigation report after completing the next phase of inquiry. Officials have been booked under charges of “misuse of authority” and accepting bribes to manipulate an ongoing inquiry related to the YouTuber’s case. The extension aims to allow investigators to further verify the financial trail and potential misuse of official powers.
It is noteworthy that YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, was arrested in August by the NCCIA at Lahore airport on charges of promoting online gambling platforms such as Binomo and 1xBet. His case was registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. The ongoing bribery investigation against NCCIA officers has added another twist to the controversial case, highlighting concerns over corruption within the country’s cybercrime enforcement structure.