The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan against notices issued to him by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
As per details, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition and ruled against Rizwan. The court observed that Rizwan should respond to the show-cause notice and appear before the agency as required.
The court also warned that concealing facts from the investigation could result in a substantial fine.
Rizwan had filed the petition to challenge the NCCIA’s jurisdiction and the nature of its investigation. He asked the court to halt the agency’s proceedings until a final decision on his petition. In the petition, Rizwan argued that the NCCIA had not disclosed any specific allegation against him and questioned why the agency was investigating an unspecified charge.
According to the petition, Rizwan had earlier responded to the allegations through his lawyer, but NCCIA rejected that response and issued a fresh notice.
Speaking to media after the verdict, Rizwan’s lawyer Qazi Umair Ali said that Rizwan has already submitted his response to the NCCIA’s notice.
He questioned the scope of the investigation, noting that the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit handles allegations related to online betting, and asked what exactly the NCCIA is investigating.
The case stems from questionnaires the NCCIA issued to Rizwan and fellow batter Imam-ul-Haq, both of whom were required to submit their answers by September 15.
Imam-ul-Haq submitted his responses within the deadline.
Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were recalled from Pakistan’s tour of England before the investigation against them began.
