The Lahore High Court (LHC) has delivered a detailed verdict dismissing Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan’s petition challenging the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) ongoing inquiry. The court directed Rizwan to cooperate with the investigation, while instructing the agency to conduct its probe strictly within legal boundaries, avoiding any undue harassment or inconvenience.
Chief Justice Alia Neelum authored the five-page judgment, affirming that the NCCIA’s investigation falls within its jurisdiction and is not driven by any malicious intent. The inquiry relates to allegations of electronic fraud, specifically unauthorized financial gain, as outlined under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
The NCCIA informed the court that cyber-patrolling had revealed Rizwan’s connection to the case. The court emphasized that it is appropriate at this stage to allow the agency to complete its inquiry, noting that judicial interference before the investigation’s conclusion is premature.
Importantly, the court clarified that a call-up notice does not equate to an accusation of criminal conduct but is a procedural step to gather information relevant to the investigation. Rizwan had appeared before the NCCIA on September 10 in response to a notice issued on September 8 and submitted a written explanation on September 14.
Rizwan’s legal team argued that the matter should be addressed by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit, asserting it as the proper forum for corruption allegations in cricket. However, the court highlighted that the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code serves as a professional conduct guideline and does not replace criminal law. The code neither excludes nor supersedes legal proceedings by state authorities and explicitly requires cooperation with relevant criminal or regulatory bodies.
The judgment further stated that the NCCIA’s investigation aims to uncover and eradicate corruption in sports. The court insisted the inquiry is within the agency’s remit and not initiated with any bad faith. It also ordered the NCCIA to ensure Rizwan is not subjected to unnecessary trouble during the process.
Should Rizwan have any objections to the final outcome of the inquiry, he may pursue legal recourse under the law. Additionally, any concerns regarding the return of seized items can be addressed in the appropriate court.
Rizwan had initially challenged the NCCIA’s call-up notice and questioned the agency’s authority to conduct the investigation. The LHC had dismissed his petition during the initial hearing on September 17, instructing him to respond to the agency’s notice.
Subsequent developments revealed that the NCCIA requested extensive information from Rizwan, including details of his social media profiles, income, expenses, and properties. Rizwan, along with fellow cricketer Imam-ul-Haq, appeared before the NCCIA on September 10 as part of the inquiry.
the investigation involves allegations of online betting, gambling, and information obtained from probes into dressing-room leaks. These matters are still under investigation, with no conclusive findings against Rizwan at this time.
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