NCCIA has summoned Momina Iqbal and PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar on Sept. 4 as investigators review newly presented evidence in the harassment case.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued fresh notices to television actor Momina Iqbal and PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar after new evidence emerged in an ongoing harassment case.
Both Iqbal and Chadhar have been summoned to appear at the NCCIA office in Lahore on Sept. 4. The agency has also formed a special investigation team to examine the latest evidence and review records collected during the earlier investigation.
NCCIA Punjab Deputy Director Waqas Saeed said the new team would be headed by a deputy director and given one month to complete its inquiry and submit its findings to the agency’s director general.
Saeed said any further legal action would depend on the outcome of the investigation. He also cautioned against declaring either party guilty or innocent before the inquiry is completed.
Court Disposes of Bail Pleas
The development came as a Lahore court disposed of pre-arrest interim bail petitions filed by Chadhar and his wife after they withdrew the petitions.
The withdrawal followed a statement by the new investigating officer, Hassan Sajjad Naqvi, who told the court that the suspects’ arrest was not required at this stage.
The case took a new turn after the investigating officer was changed. During a July 28 hearing, former investigating officer and NCCIA official Najam Bajwa had told the court that Chadhar had been found guilty following the investigation.
However, Naqvi told the court that the investigation had changed after new evidence was presented and that there was currently no need to arrest the suspects.
According to the summons, the suspects had sought a fresh investigation based on new defence evidence. Iqbal was also directed to provide her statement regarding the newly presented material.
Iqbal attended the court hearing when the latest development was discussed. Following the new investigating officer’s statement, Chadhar and his wife withdrew their bail petitions.
How the Dispute Began
The dispute became public earlier this year when Iqbal spoke about alleged online harassment, cyberbullying and death threats. In a social media post in May, she said the alleged harassment had caused significant mental stress for her and her family.
Iqbal initially did not name the person she accused, saying only that a PML-N provincial assembly member had allegedly been threatening her for an extended period. She also said she had previously approached cybercrime authorities.
She later filed a formal complaint accusing Chadhar, his wife and others of allegedly conducting a campaign involving cyber harassment, stalking, intimidation, blackmail and threats.
Iqbal further alleged that Chadhar made threatening calls after she rejected his marriage proposal and sent threatening WhatsApp messages and video calls. She also claimed that similar messages were sent to her sister.
Chadhar’s lawyer rejected the allegations and maintained that the two had known each other for several years.
The NCCIA registered a case against Chadhar on June 4 under several provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Pakistan Penal Code. The allegations include unauthorised access or transmission of data, offences against modesty, cyberstalking and criminal intimidation.
About The Author
