Web desk: The Sessions Court in Lahore on Thursday announced its reserved verdict on Ducky Bhai’s bail petition, dismissing the plea in the case linked to the illegal gambling apps promotion case.
The decision had been preserved by the session court judge, Sajida Chaudhry, after hearing both parties.
The prosecution argued that strong evidence links the YouTuber to the promotion of illegal gambling and forex trading applications. Including “Binomo,” “Bet 365,” and “39 Game.”
Prosecutors told the court that the case was initiated on the basis of a credible source report. Which identified his alleged involvement.
It was further revealed in court that the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has never registered or authorised such apps.
However, Ducky Bhai allegedly used his YouTube platform to encourage the public to invest in them.
Investigators informed the court that Rs160 million had been traced to one of his accounts and Rs50 million to another. With no explanation provided for the source of these funds.
Prosecutors warned that the money “could have been used for terrorism or other illegal financing.”
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) representative confirmed that access to the Binomo app has already been blocked in Pakistan. Though several similar applications are still operating.
The court was also told that investigators have custody of Ducky Bhai’s mobile phones. But due to face-lock security, they have not yet been accessed.
Expressing concern, the judge questioned, “If the face lock could not be bypassed. Then what progress was made during the 22-day remand?”
According to the FIR, he not only encouraged citizens to invest in such apps, causing financial losses. But also allegedly acted as the Pakistan country manager for Binomo without government authorisation.
The NCCIA has so far declared 46 applications, including Binomo, illegal in Pakistan, citing unregulated gambling and forex trading activities.
