The Deputy Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), who had been investigating a case involving popular TikToker Ducky Bhai, remains missing even after ten days, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Friday.

During the hearing, DSP Legal told the court that the missing officer, Usman, was leading the probe into the Ducky Bhai case, which allegedly involved the promotion of online gambling apps, and that other members of the same investigation team have also disappeared.

Justice Azam Khan directed the police to examine the officer’s WhatsApp data and granted an additional week to trace and recover him. The court fixed the next hearing for October 31.

The court was also informed that Usman’s wife, Rozina, who had filed a petition in the IHC seeking her husband’s recovery, has also gone missing. Advocate Rizwan Abbasi told the bench that Rozina disappeared soon after approaching the court.

According to DSP Legal, efforts are underway under the supervision of the SSP Investigation, while preliminary findings indicate that the missing deputy director’s last location was traced to Islamabad’s F-6 sector. CCTV footage has been reviewed, but no solid lead has been found so far.

The officer’s wife’s last known location was reported near Empress Road, Lahore, before her phone went off. When investigators visited her residence, neighbours told them the house was locked and the couple’s children were also missing.

Advocate Abbasi informed the court that Rozina received a threatening call before disappearing, warning her to withdraw her petition.

Justice Azam Khan remarked that the woman might be staying with relatives, but her lawyer questioned whether she went willingly.

The court adjourned the hearing until October 31, directing police to expedite efforts and submit a detailed report on the recovery of the missing officer and his family.