Court rejects bail of Ducky Bhai in Betting App case

LAHORE: Judicial Magistrate Naeem dismissed the bail plea of YouTuber Saad-ur-Rahman, also known as Ducky Bhai, in the Betting App case.

Ducky Bhai, who gained millions of followers on the internet, is behind bars on judicial remand. Following his arrest, his legal counsel, Advocate Chaudhry Usman Ali, requested a post-arrest bail application under Section 497 of the Criminal Procedure Code, alleging that the FIR filed against him is fabricated, unsubstantiated, and aimed at defaming him.

The bail application contended that during the promotion of the apps, none were announced as illegal by the government, and the investigation has yielded no evidence of spoofing, spamming, fraud, or forgery. Charges under Sections 294-B and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code are bailable, and there is no financially impacted complainant in view.

The attorney further stated that Ducky Bhai has no criminal history, has no plans to abscond abroad, and is ready to post a bail bond if released.

NCCIA has lodged a case against Saad for promoting gambling and betting applications, Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game on social media. The case is filed under sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the Pakistan Penal Code, as it was reported that the users lost money as they had invested in these platforms.

Ducky Bhai previously evaded questions and was put on the Provisional National Identification List. He was arrested at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport while trying to flee the country.

His phone was confiscated, and initial investigations showed records of misleading videos, illegal payments, and his activity as a Binomo country manager without government permission.

The apps in question are not registered in Pakistan, and the FIR alleges they defrauded the public despite collecting millions of rupees.