LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed Pakistan cricketer and former captain Mohammad Rizwan’s petition challenging summons issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), with the court directing him to respond to the agency’s show-cause notice.
LHC Hears Rizwan’s Petition
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition. Rizwan did not personally appear before the court, while his counsel represented him. During the hearing, the chief justice questioned the challenge to the summons and remarked that the petitioner should respond to the show-cause notice. She also observed that a heavy fine could be imposed for concealing facts.
The petition maintained that the NCCIA summons were unlawful and beyond the agency’s jurisdiction. Rizwan’s side also rejected allegations concerning online betting and gambling as false and baseless. According to the petition, Rizwan had appeared before the NCCIA on September 10 and answered various questions, but the agency subsequently issued another notice.
Counsel Raises Mobile Phone Issue
Rizwan’s counsel further told the court that after the Lord’s Test, the cricketer was called to a hotel lobby where he was questioned in the presence of an official from a government agency. The lawyer alleged that Rizwan’s mobile phone was taken with an assurance that it would be returned within three hours, but had not been returned. These claims were presented by Rizwan’s side and have not been independently established by the court in the reported proceedings.
The counsel also argued that cricket-related corruption allegations should fall within the remit of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit and questioned why the matter had not been referred there.
Court Dismisses Petition
During the hearing, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum also expressed displeasure after Rizwan’s counsel was found not to have the case file with him, describing the conduct as highly inappropriate. The court ultimately dismissed the petition and directed Rizwan to approach the relevant forum and respond to the notice.