Popular YouTuber Saadur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, has filed an appeal against a judicial magistrate’s decision to grant an extension of his physical remand to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The appeal, submitted on Saturday through his lawyer Ch Usman Ali, argues that the magistrate did not properly examine the facts before approving the remand request. A sessions court in Lahore has approved the appeal for hearing, issuing a notice to the NCCIA and demanding a reply by Monday.
Ducky Bhai was arrested on August 17 at Lahore airport in a case related to the promotion of illegal online gambling applications. The state, through the NCCIA, filed a case against him under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 and the Pakistan Penal Code. The investigation stems from a June 13 inquiry into social media influencers allegedly promoting gambling and betting apps for monetary gain.
In a separate but related development, the YouTuber’s wife, Aroob Jatoi, has been granted a further extension of her pre-arrest bail until September 15. The sessions court has barred the NCCIA from arresting her and has summoned a detailed investigation report for the next hearing. Jatoi had approached the court after receiving an inquiry notice from the agency, expressing fear of arrest despite her willingness to cooperate.
This marks the second time Jatoi has been granted pre-arrest bail; her first was approved on August 21, after which she appeared before the NCCIA for questioning. The court’s decision provides her temporary relief as the investigation into the wider case continues.
