Rajab Butt and Nadeem Mubarak granted interim bail by a Lahore district and sessions court in a case over promoting gambling apps. Additional Sessions Judge Mansoor Ali Qureshi heard the bail pleas of both social media personalities. Their lawyer, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, argued that they were ready to join the investigation and prove their innocence.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has registered cases against several YouTubers and TikTokers, including Rajab Butt and Nadeem Mubarak, alleging they promoted gambling applications. The judge granted pre-arrest interim bail and directed authorities not to arrest them until January 6. The court also ordered both accused to cooperate with the investigation until the next hearing.
This decision comes days after the Islamabad High Court granted 10-day protective bail to both personalities on petitions filed by their family members. Following that, they filed separate bail applications before the Lahore sessions court.
Official records show that both social media figures face multiple FIRs under various cybercrime laws. Allegations include promoting gambling apps, misuse of digital platforms, and online harassment. The FIA issued notices, but investigations saw limited progress as the accused were abroad.
In September, Rajab Butt was nominated in a case for promoting gambling apps, while Nadeem Mubarak faced similar allegations. He was also arrested for displaying a fake registration number, allegedly linked to former prime minister Imran Khan’s prisoner number. Police said he could not explain the number satisfactorily.
Earlier, in March, Rajab Butt faced legal trouble under blasphemy and cybercrime laws over his perfume brand “295,” referencing Pakistan Penal Code provisions. In December 2024, he was arrested for keeping a lion cub and weapons without proper documentation. In January 2025, he admitted the violation, stating the cub was a wedding gift. He later assured the court he would post videos promoting animal rights for a year and was granted bail.
