NCCIA wants Maria B to appear on Sept 2 over 'defamation of transgender persons'

Fashion designer Maria Butt, better known as Maria B, has engaged Barrister Khadija Siddiqui to represent her before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in a case pertaining to allegedly defaming the transgender community.

Siddiqui said that she has asked the agency for a copy of the complaint but has yet to receive it. Maria B was initially summoned to appear before the NCCIA on Tuesday after a complaint was filed by Saima Butt.

The complainant has accused the fashion designer of defaming the transgender community on social media.

Siddiqui said the agency is expected to send written questions, to which they will respond, and added that her client has been asked to appear again on September 2.

On Sunday, Maria B publicly denied receiving any notice from the agency, saying she would present her stance once formally summoned.

Also Read: Maria B lashes out at ‘obscene, satanic’ LGBT event in Lahore

The notice, issued on Friday, did not specify the social media posts in question.

However, earlier this month, the designer posted videos on her social media accounts criticizing “transgender activists” and describing certain gatherings as “against the moral values of the country.”

Last week, Lahore police booked around 60 transgender persons and others after Maria B uploaded photos and videos of a private event. Several were briefly detained, but a magistrate later dismissed the case, citing lack of evidence.