NCCIA handed journalist Bilal Ghauri's custody for another 2 days in Peca case

ISLAMABAD: A judicial magistrate on Thursday extended the physical remand of journalist Bilal Ghauri by two days in a case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Ghauri was handed into police custody for three days on Monday, with a September 6 case filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) accusing him of spreading false information. The case alleged that the journalist had created and shared content about the recent appointment of the National Counter Terrorism Authority’s (Nacta) head. On Thursday, Ghauri was produced before Judicial Magistrate Malik Aman upon the completion of his three-day physical remand. The NCCIA sought the journalist’s custody for another six days for further investigation. Opposing the request, Ghauri’s counsel, Imran Shafiq, argued that the NCCIA had already stated that the required recoveries had been made.

“If the recovery has already been made, what further remand do they need? ” the counsel asked. He pointed out that the NCCIA had taken Ghauri’s mobile phone and laptop into custody and also had access to his social media accounts. The counsel further argued that the prosecution should first establish how the statement attributed to Ghauri was incorrect. “You have not even questioned him about how the statement is incorrect,” Shafiq told the court. Ghauri also informed the court that the investigating agency had possession of all his accounts, mobile phone and laptop. The investigating officer (IO), however, informed the court that two-step verification was enabled on the journalist’s social media accounts, making it difficult for investigators to log in. After hearing the arguments, the court extended Ghauri’s physical remand for two days and directed the NCCIA to produce him before the court…