A local court has declined a request by popular Pakistani YouTuber Saadur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, to temporarily regain access to his YouTube channel and seized mobile phones. The decision was announced on Tuesday by Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo, who ruled that the digital assets are part of an ongoing investigation and cannot be released at this stage.
During the hearing, the court made it clear that electronic devices and online platforms often contain material that may be relevant to cybercrime cases. Until investigators complete their work, such items must remain in official custody. As a result, Ducky Bhai’s plea for interim possession of his YouTube channel and phones was dismissed.
However, the court did offer partial relief. Nineteen personal items recovered during an earlier search were ordered to be returned. These included bank cards, identity cards, a laptop bag, a GoPro camera, and other belongings that the court determined were unrelated to the main allegations and no longer required for investigation purposes.
Ducky Bhai had argued that his YouTube channel is his primary source of income and that mobile phones are essential tools for managing content and daily communication. While the court acknowledged these concerns, it emphasized that preserving potential digital evidence takes priority over convenience.
The case stems from allegations that the YouTuber promoted gambling and betting applications on social media, which authorities say violates Pakistan’s cybercrime laws and could negatively influence younger audiences. He was arrested in August by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency following a formal inquiry.
Although he was later granted bail by the Lahore High Court, the return of seized digital devices was not included. Legal experts note that such decisions are common in cybercrime cases, reflecting increased scrutiny of online content creators and their responsibilities.