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KARACHI: Observing that cyberspace, if left unchecked, can become an instrument of exploitation rather than empowerment, a judicial magistrate has rejected the bail application of a man allegedly involved in blackmailing his ex-fiancée after she broke up with him.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had booked the man for offences under Sections 20 (offences against dignity of a natural person), 21 (offences against modesty of a natural person and minor) and 24 (cyber stalking) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 read with 109 (abetment) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The suspect had moved an application before Judicial Magistrate (West) Inamullah Phulpoto and sought post-arrest bail in the case.
After hearing state prosecutor Sheraz Rajper and defence counsel, the court rejected the bail application, observing that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the suspect was involved in the alleged offence.
Court rejects bail plea of man in blackmail case involving ex-fiancée
In its detailed order, the court noted: “The present case reflects a disturbing societal reality — where relationships, once built on trust, are turned into instruments of control and subjugation. The breaking of an engagement, which is a lawful and personal decision, is here alleged to have triggered a chain of coercive acts, reducing a woman’s dignity to a negotiable commodity.
“Crimes against women in digital spaces are not confined to individuals — they erode societal confidence, silence voices and perpetuate fear. A society where women feel unsafe, whether in physical or virtual spaces, cannot claim to be just,” the judge remarked.
The judge also noted: “In an age where digital platforms amplify both voice and violation, the court is called upon to ensure that law does not remain a silent spectator to the misuse of trust and technology. The case in hand is a stark reminder that cyberspace, if left unchecked, can become an instrument of exploitation rather than empowerment.”
“Courts, therefore, are not mere arbiters of disputes but guardians of constitutional values, entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that justice is not only done but is seen to be done — especially where vulnerability meets exploitation,” it added.
According to state prosecutor Rajper, the FIR stated that the complainant stated that she had been engaged to the suspect, and both were in contact with each other through social media platforms.
She further stated that when she came to know that the suspect was already married and had two children with his first wife, she broke up her relationship with him. However, she alleged that the suspect threatened her that he would share her explicit videos and pictures — which were recorded without her consent — with others if she ended the relationship.
Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026
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