The mystery surrounding the disappearance of NCCIA Deputy Director Muhammad Usman has been resolved after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore confirmed his arrest in a corruption and abuse of authority case.
Usman, in a written statement, denied being kidnapped and admitted he had gone into hiding out of fear of an internal inquiry.
Usman’s arrest ends days of speculation
The FIA Lahore formally arrested Deputy Director Muhammad Usman following an investigation into alleged corruption and misuse of official powers. The case is linked to an ongoing probe against several officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
In his written statement, Usman clarified that he had not been abducted, stating, “I went into hiding myself due to fear of the inquiry. No one kidnapped me, nor was I in anyone’s custody.”
Sources said the case stems from a broader corruption investigation involving multiple NCCIA officials accused of accepting bribes from YouTuber Saadur Rehman’s family, known online as Ducky Bhai.
Background
Earlier, the FIA arrested four NCCIA officers — including former Additional Director Sarfaraz Chaudhry — on allegations of bribery and misuse of authority. The arrests were made after a complaint was filed by Arob Jatoi, wife of YouTuber Ducky Bhai.
According to the FIR, Rs9 million was allegedly received from Ducky’s family to secure leniency in a cybercrime case. The report states that former investigation officer Shoaib Riaz accepted Rs6 million to ease legal proceedings and an additional Rs3 million for judicial relief.
Part of the amount, Rs5 million, was reportedly handed over to Additional Director Sarfaraz Chaudhry, while Shoaib Riaz kept Rs2 million for himself. Investigators allege the funds were distributed among other senior NCCIA officials.
