LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed the Rizwan NCCIA petition, directing Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to respond to notices issued by the cybercrime agency.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum asked why the court needed to intervene after Rizwan had already appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on September 10. She directed his counsel to present his position before the agency.
Rizwan’s lawyer, Qazi Umair Ali, argued that the allegations were baseless and said the cricketer’s mobile phone had been taken after the Lord’s Test and had not been returned. He also contended that corruption-related allegations against players should fall within the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
Read: Rizwan NCCIA Response Questions Summons, Phone Seizure
The NCCIA notice states that an inquiry into online betting and gambling is under way. Rizwan had challenged the agency’s jurisdiction and argued that the notice did not specify what illegal activity he was alleged to have committed.
Separate reporting says Rizwan and Test opener Imam-ul-Haq were questioned for around two hours at the NCCIA’s Johar Town office over alleged dressing-room information leaks during Pakistan’s England series. Investigators were also examining mobile-phone data, financial dealings and suspected transactions.
The NCCIA has not announced any final finding against either player.
