A court in Lahore on Monday sent YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, to jail on a 14-day judicial remand in connection with a case involving the promotion of an online gambling application.
Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo of Lahore's District Court rejected the request of the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) National Cyber Crime Wing, which had sought an additional eight days of physical custody.
The agency argued that further recoveries were expected, including data from seized mobile phones, a laptop, digital accounts, and currency. The magistrate, however, dismissed the plea and ordered that the accused be sent to jail.
Ducky Bhai was arrested on August 17 at Allama Iqbal International Airport after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a case against him on the complaint of the state.
Authorities allege that he promoted gambling and betting apps through his vlogs, encouraging young people to invest money and leading to widespread financial losses. His physical remand had already been extended six times before Monday's ruling.
Despite being behind bars, Ducky Bhai still garnering attention on the social media. His new videos in handcuffs have gone viral, with critics accuse him of promoting harmful trends and fostering feelings of inferiority among his viewers.
The NCCIA has also widened its investigation, issuing formal notices to several other prominent influencers. YouTuber Rajab Butt, along with TikTok star Iqra Kanwal and content creator Muhammad Anas Ali, has been directed to appear before investigators on September 9.
According to media reports, Butt faces allegations of encouraging youth to gamble, promoting trading and betting apps, and misleading the public through organised schemes. His lawyer said a written defence would be submitted and pledged full legal cooperation, a report said.
Iqra Kanwal, however, has sought a two-month delay in her appearance, citing health concerns. Through her lawyer, she assured the agency of full cooperation once her condition allows, according to another media report.
The widening probe follows weeks of high-profile developments in the case, beginning with Ducky Bhai's arrest last month and culminating in his judicial remand, as authorities press ahead with their crackdown on gambling app promotion across social media platforms.
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