Mohammad Rizwan’s plea against NCCIA notices dismissed by Lahore high court

The Lahore High Court dismissed Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan’s petition, which challenged the notices issued to him by the country’s cybercrime investigation agency on Tuesday.

The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter filed a writ petition in the court through his lawyers on Wednesday. He argued that the NCCIA did not specify why they were questioning him and that they did not have official jurisdiction on the matter.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition at the Lahore High Court, and Rizwan was represented by lawyer Qazi Umair Ali.

Rizwan files petition in Lahore High Court

Rizwan’s lawyer argued that the allegations against Rizwan were vague, incorrect and baseless and were a ‘feeble attempt‘ to malign the petitioner’s reputation and interest. They also challenged the NCCIA’s jurisdiction, saying that the ICC’s anti-corruption unit is the body which investigates such allegations.

 “No reference to the alleged conduct has been made to the ACU. In the absence of any independent, specific offence… the NCCIA’s assumption of jurisdiction is without lawful basis and amounts to an abuse of process,” the petition mentioned, as quoted by ESPN.

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It is also alleged that Rizwan’s mobile phone was confiscated shortly after the Lord’s Test in England, where Pakistan lost by 194 runs. The petition claimed that the wicketkeeper-batter was summoned to the hotel lobby at midnight and was interrogated by an officer of some government agency.

The officer also confiscated his mobile phone without giving any reason and has not returned it to him to date.

High Court dismisses Rizwan’s plea

During the hearing, Justice Neelum expressed displeasure at Ali’s failure to produce the case file in court. She also noted that Rizwan had complied with NCCIA’s summons issued on September 10.

“You were called on September 10, and you complied with it. What brings you to court now?” the judge asked Rizwan.

Justice Neelum also directed the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to respond to the notices and explain his stance.

“Go there, tell them and respond to the notice,” the judge said before dismissing the petition.

The PCB is also waiting for the NCCIA’s findings from the probe to decide on whether to take any disciplinary action against Rizwan.