Lahore court grants three-day physical remand of NCCIA officers in Ducky Bhai bribery case

A district court on Monday granted a three-day physical remand of six National Central Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) officers, including Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry, in a case related to alleged bribery.

Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo announced the reserved verdict, approving the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) request for further remand. The court directed that the accused remain in FIA custody for continued investigation.

The FIA had sought an extension in physical remand, stating that the case involved white-collar crime and that further information was needed about the victims and the financial transactions involved. The prosecutor informed the court that Rs45.8 million had already been recovered from the accused.

Defence counsel Mian Ali Ashfaq had opposed the FIA’s request, arguing that the complainant had accused the officers of taking Rs9 million in bribes, while the FIA was claiming recovery of over Rs45 million. He also pointed out that no complainant had appeared before the court, nor had any witness given a statement against the accused.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court approved a three-day physical remand of all the accused officers, who have been handed over to the FIA for further investigation.