The Ducky Bhai online gambling case took a significant step forward on Monday as a district court in Lahore formally indicted YouTuber Saadur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, along with his wife and others. The case relates to allegations of promoting online gambling and betting applications through digital platforms.
Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo presided over the hearing. During the proceedings, Rehman and the other accused denied the charges levelled against them. The court subsequently summoned prosecution witnesses for February 23 as the trial progresses.
The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, which accused the YouTuber of promoting multiple online betting platforms. According to the First Information Report, these platforms included Binomo and 1xBet, allegedly advertised through his YouTube channel.
Ducky Bhai online gambling case and charges
Investigators claim that Rehman used his social media reach to promote gambling-related content. The FIR states that such promotions violated Pakistan’s cybercrime and criminal laws.
The charges include sections 13, 14, 25, and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. The case also invokes sections 294-B and 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with obscenity and cheating.
Ducky Bhai is among Pakistan’s most-followed digital content creators. He has uploaded more than 800 videos and has over 10 million subscribers on YouTube, giving the case wider public attention.
Arrest, detention, and bail
Authorities arrested Rehman on August 17, 2025, after the NCCIA registered the case. He remained in the agency’s custody for nearly three months during the investigation phase.
After spending more than three months in detention, Rehman secured bail from the Lahore High Court. The court ordered his release on November 26, allowing him to return home while the legal process continued.
Read: Lahore High Court Grants Bail to YouTuber Ducky Bhai
Following his release, Rehman made serious allegations regarding his treatment while in custody. His claims added another layer of controversy to the case.
Allegations of torture and misconduct
In December 2025, Rehman released a video statement in which he broke down emotionally while describing his alleged treatment by NCCIA officials. He claimed he faced physical abuse, verbal humiliation, and intimidation during interrogation.
According to Rehman, a senior officer repeatedly slapped and abused him. He also alleged that officials forced him into stress positions and subjected him to degrading treatment.
He levelled direct accusations against former NCCIA Lahore additional director Sarfraz Chaudhry. Rehman claimed Chaudhry ordered or personally carried out acts of violence and humiliation, including involving a child during a video call to verbally abuse him.
Developments involving NCCIA officials
The allegations against Chaudhry later gained attention due to developments within the agency. In September 2025, authorities dismissed Chaudhry from service and removed him from his post.
Reports stated that his removal followed multiple controversies, including the alleged mistreatment of Rehman. In October, the Federal Investigation Agency arrested Chaudhry along with six other NCCIA officers.
The arrests were made on charges related to misuse of authority and accepting bribes. These developments intensified scrutiny of the NCCIA’s conduct during investigations.
With the indictment complete, the court has now moved toward the evidentiary phase of the trial. Witness testimonies are expected to play a key role in determining the outcome.
Rehman and the co-accused continue to deny the allegations. Meanwhile, the case remains under close public and legal observation due to its implications for digital content regulation in Pakistan.
