In a surprising turn, YouTuber Ducky Bhai (Saad ur Rehman) has been granted bail in the ongoing case over alleged promotion of gambling applications. The decision comes amid growing legal and public debate around online influencer accountability.
The case, filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), centres on accusations that Ducky Bhai promoted unlicensed betting platforms, including Binomo and 1xBet, across his social media channels. He was initially arrested at Lahore’s airport and placed under judicial remand.
Sources close to the court confirm that Ducky Bhai’s bail petition was successful after fresh arguments from his legal team. His defence asserted that the promoted apps were not explicitly banned at the time, and that the case lacks solid evidence directly linking the YouTuber to client payoffs. Meanwhile, the prosecution maintained that his content influenced a large audience, particularly minors, and that significant funds had allegedly been traced back to his accounts.
In earlier hearings, the court extended his judicial remand by 14 days and tasked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with submitting a formal challan to move the investigation forward. The case itself involves serious charges: among them, violations under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Legal observers say the case could become a landmark in regulating how social media influencers endorse financial products, especially gambling apps. Notably, the Lahore High Court has issued notices to all parties, asking for written replies ahead of the next hearing.
Even with bail, Ducky Bhai’s legal journey isn’t over. The outcome of this trial may well shape future policies on influencer marketing, financial endorsements, and digital responsibility in Pakistan.
