Court Rejects Acquittal Request for Subhan — Co-accused of Ducky Bhai

Court Rejects Acquittal Request for Subhan — Co-accused of Ducky Bhai

In a significant development in the high-profile online gambling case, a Lahore district court has dismissed the acquittal request of Subhan, a co-accused in the case involving Ducky Bhai. The decision came during a hearing presided over by Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo, after both the accused and their legal teams appeared in court. 

The case stems from allegations that Ducky Bhai and his associates — including Subhan — promoted illegal gambling applications through social media for financial gain, a move that reportedly influenced a large number of individuals to invest in these unlicensed platforms.  According to the prosecution, evidence such as digital devices, account statements and money transfers were recovered during the investigation, which substantiated the claims of illicit promotion. 

During the latest hearing, Subhan’s legal team filed a plea seeking acquittal, arguing that he had nothing to do with the alleged crimes. In his defence, Ducky Bhai claimed that Subhan had joined him just three months prior to his arrest and was employed on a fixed salary — implying that Subhan was simply an employee and had no role in promoting or managing the gambling schemes. 

However, the court was not persuaded by this argument. Magistrate Wattoo rejected Subhan’s acquittal request, effectively keeping him among the accused in the case. The court also postponed further proceedings and summoned all involved — including Ducky Bhai, his wife Aroob Jatoi, and other alleged accomplices — to appear on 17 December 2025 for formal framing of charges. 

This ruling comes at a time when Ducky Bhai himself has recently been released on bail by Lahore High Court (LHC). The High Court granted his bail petition on 24 November 2025, directing him to furnish surety bonds worth Rs 1 million.  Yet, the case against him and his co-accused remains very much active under investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). 

In previous hearings, courts — including both a judicial magistrate and a sessions court — had denied bail to Ducky Bhai. The rejection was based on what the prosecution described as “substantial evidence” linking him to online gambling promotion, including money traced in multiple accounts and links to various suspect apps.  Critics of the case, including Ducky Bhai’s defence, argued that no apps were recovered, no concrete proof of public harm was presented, and that procedural safeguards had even been breached. 

Now, with Subhan’s bid for acquittal rejected, the spotlight turns to the upcoming hearing in December. At that time, the court will formally read out the charges — a crucial step that will determine whether the prosecution’s case will proceed to a full trial. The stakes remain high, given the gravity of the allegations and the potential societal implications, especially considering the influence social-media personalities hold over a large audience.

The verdict on Subhan’s plea marks a clear message from the court: the judiciary is treating the accusations seriously, and is prepared to advance the case — notwithstanding recent bail orders. Whether the court will proceed to convict or acquit in the end remains uncertain. But for now, the legal proceedings have resumed momentum, and all eyes are on the December hearing.

Court Rejects Acquittal Request for Subhan — Co-accused of Ducky Bhai..