Lawmaker gets interim bail in actress harassment case

LHC restrains arrest until June 24 as NCCIA probes allegations of blackmail, threats

LAHORE:

A Lahore sessions court has granted interim pre-arrest bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Saqib Khan Chaddar in a high-profile case involving allegations of cyber harassment, blackmail, unauthorised access to private data and death threats against actress Momina Iqbal. Additional Sessions Judge Irfan Ahmad heard the interim bail petition filed by the lawmaker and restrained the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) from arresting him until June 24.

The court also directed the agency to produce the complete investigation record at the next hearing.

Saqib Chaddar appeared before the court along with his counsel, Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, who argued that the allegations were baseless and that his client was willing to cooperate fully with investigators. The defense requested interim bail to enable the MPA to join the investigation without the risk of immediate arrest.

After hearing arguments, the court granted interim pre-arrest bail and barred the NCCIA from taking the accused into custody pending further proceedings.

The case stems from a complaint filed by actress Momina Iqbal, who approached the NCCIA on May 18, shortly before her wedding celebrations.

Following a preliminary inquiry and forensic examination, the agency registered a criminal case against Saqib Chaddar and his wife, Sumaira Siddique, alleging cyber harassment, blackmail, criminal intimidation and unlawful access to private information.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Momina Iqbal alleged that she discovered Chaddar was already married after he had expressed interest in marrying her. The complaint stated that after she refused the proposal, she was allegedly subjected to harassment, intimidation and blackmail.

Investigators claim the accused obtained the actress's Call Data Record (CDR) without authorisation and used the information to facilitate harassment and character assassination.

The FIR further alleges that explicit video content linked to the complainant was found on a device associated with the accused, while derogatory and threatening messages were allegedly sent through a WhatsApp account registered in Sumaira Siddique's name.