'Defamation': Feroze Khan’s lawyer registers complaint against Muneeb Butt at the FIA

Faique Ali Jagirani also demanded that the agency file an FIR against the actor

After Feroze Khan sent legal notices to fellow artists for levelling “baseless allegations” of abuse against him, consequently releasing their private details in a tweet which he later deleted, his attorney, Faique Ali Jagirani, has approached the FIA against actor Muneeb Butt for “defamation”.

Muneeb, who wasn’t on the list of celebrities that had been sent legal notices to, had filed a complaint on behalf of his wife, Aiman Khan, with the FIA after her private details, too, were compromised. Following this, Muneeb advised Feroze to “change his lawyer” in an Instagram Story, claiming that Faique had been using his case to “[gain] YouTube subscribers.” The actor had said, “Advocate sahab Mashallah gaining YouTube subscribers from your [Feroze Khan] case. This case will go on until he gets a silver button!”

Now, Faique has approached the FIA to take legal action against Muneeb for “defaming” him and his firm. In a copy of the complaint filed at the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Karachi available with The Express Tribune, Faique alleges, “Mr Muneeb Butt, who is working in showbiz industry is defaming my law firm, namely Coopers Law Firm, and myself as a lawyer, without any reason on various social media platforms such as Instagram. This act of Muneeb Butt’s has violated by constitutional rights saved under Article 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan of 1973, inviolability of dignity of men etc. as well his mala fide intention with ulterior motives to defame me and my law firm.”

The complaint was submitted on Friday to the FIA’s cybercrime wing. In this complaint, Faique also urges the FIA to prosecute Muneeb under the law as his actions are in violation of Section 24 of the PECA, 2016.

He has further submitted a hand-written application to the FIA cybercrime Karachi in-charge, requesting the initiation of an FIR and legal action against Muneeb. In the hand-written report, also available with The Express Tribune, Faique has accused Muneeb of defamation and suggested that his actions fall under “criminal intimidation” and appear to be a threat.

In a video announcing the filing of his complaint, Faique said, "FIA has initiated its investigation and we are also filing an FIR. And we will also file a defamation suit in the civil court of law. Muneeb Butt should apologise on all platforms. Humans make mistakes but if you don't apologise, and insist on [justifying] your mistakes, then Mr Muneeb Butt, wish you the best of luck and meet you in the court!"

For the unversed

After Feroze deleted the legal notices shared on his Twitter with private details of several celebrities, Muneeb had taken to Instagram and written, “Leaking my family’s personal details on your social media trying to play smart by uploading the notice of a law firm and deleting it. Whoever is suggesting this to you, has thrown you into deep trouble my friend. I feel bad for you, now you will have to face all of this… Initially I thought it’s [a] stupid mistake and waited for 24 hours but no apology or excuse proved that it was a deliberate move. I thought you were better than that, seriously. Complaint registration/verification process has been completed [and] FIA Cyber Circle has initiated the inquiry. The process has started [and] you will have to taste your own medicine. Now wait for the call.”

Muneeb also shared a photo of the cyber complaint he filed against Feroze for “cyber stalking”, in which he expressed how distressed both he and his wife Aiman have been since their mobile phone numbers and address were “leaked” online by the Khaani star. Feroze is now subject to legal action from a number of stars for violating their privacy.

Muneeb’s complaint noted that his sister-in-law Minal was also mentioned in Feroze’s legal notice. “Unknown numbers are calling my wife and unknown suspicious people are coming to my residence, which is [a] great security threat to me and my family. We need strict action against Feroze Khan,” read the complaint.

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