Mohammad Rizwan NCCIA proceedings will continue after the Lahore High Court allowed the cybercrime agency to pursue its inquiry into alleged online betting and gambling activities involving the Pakistan cricketer.
LHC Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum rejected Rizwan’s petition challenging the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s probe, and ordered them to proceed with the investigation in strict accordance with the law and refrain from harassing the cricketer or creating an “unnecessary disadvantage” for him. Geo News sources said that Justice Neelum also directed the agency to carry out its investigation on lawful grounds.
The court was told the investigation is related to alleged online betting and gambling, and may be within the ambit of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, related to obtaining financial benefits that are illegal.
Rizwan’s involvement in the matter had also been alleged to be established based on information collected through cyber patrolling by government lawyers, they told the court.
The LHC found that authorities should have the right to reach their own initial conclusions regarding whether there is further action to be taken before the court does. It also unearthed that the investigation was within the ambits of the NCCIA’s jurisdiction and at this juncture failed to show any mala fide intent.
The Pakistan legal regime and International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Code was one of the significant question points of the proceedings. The court noted that the ICC disciplinary rules do not bar state investigations based on applicable criminal law.
The judgment also commented that under ICC, if applicable, the individuals have to cooperate with the proper criminal and regulatory authorities. More importantly, the court explained that the possession of a call up notice is not a conviction in and of itself of an offence. These allegations will accordingly remain part of the pending investigation and/or prosecution.
