A Lahore district and sessions court granted interim bail to YouTuber Rajab Butt and TikToker Nadeem Mubarak on Monday. The case involves allegations of promoting gambling apps.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had filed cases against several influencers, including Butt and Mubarak. Both appeared before Additional District and Sessions Judge Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi.
Their lawyers argued that the influencers wanted to cooperate with the investigation to prove their innocence. The court approved their pre-arrest bail and restrained the NCCIA from arresting them until January 6. The judge also directed them to join the investigation before the next hearing.
Background of the Case
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had earlier granted 10-day protective bail to the influencers. This decision followed a petition filed by their relatives, who had returned to Pakistan from London on December 10.
Afterward, Butt and Mubarak approached the Lahore sessions court, filing separate bail petitions.
Allegations Against the Influencers
According to official records, both influencers face multiple FIRs under cybercrime laws. The charges include promoting gambling apps, misuse of digital platforms, and online harassment.
In September, Butt was booked by the NCCIA for allegedly promoting gambling apps on social media. Mubarak faced similar allegations and was also arrested for displaying a fake car registration number, “IK-804.” This number reportedly referred to the prisoner ID of former PTI leader Imran Khan.
Previous Legal Troubles
Rajab Butt has faced several legal issues in the past. In March, he was booked under blasphemy and cybercrime laws for launching a perfume brand named “295,” referencing Pakistan’s blasphemy law.
Last December, Butt was arrested for illegally keeping a lion cub and weapons at his residence. He later pleaded guilty to owning the wild animal, claiming it was a wedding gift. To avoid jail, he agreed to post animal rights videos for a year.
The court’s decision to grant interim bail provides temporary relief to the influencers. However, they must comply with the investigation and appear for the next hearing.
Rajab Butt has remained in the spotlight due to several controversies, with his actions often sparking public debate and criticism. For a deeper look into one such incident, read Controversial Actions of Rajab Butt That Left Everyone Speechless.
