(TASSAWAR NEWS) – Renowned fashion designer Maria Butt, widely known as Maria B, has once again been summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in connection with a defamation case involving the transgender community. She is scheduled to appear on September 2, her lawyer Barrister Khadija Siddiqui confirmed.
On Tuesday, Barrister Siddiqui appeared before the NCCIA on behalf of her client and requested a copy of the complaint filed against Maria B. However, she said that the agency has not yet provided them with the document.
According to Siddiqui, the agency will issue a set of questions, after which they will submit written responses. The case was lodged by Saima Butt, accusing Maria B of allegedly defaming the transgender community through her social media posts.
Earlier, Maria B had denied receiving any notice, stating that she would present her stance once officially summoned. The notice issued last Friday did not specify which posts were under scrutiny.
This controversy stems from a series of videos recently uploaded by the designer, in which she demanded action against certain “transgender activists” featured in the clips, claiming such gatherings were “against the moral values of the country.”
Last week, Lahore police registered a case against around 60 transgender persons and others, arresting several for allegedly organising an “objectionable” private party. The crackdown followed shortly after Maria B shared images and videos of the event on her social media platforms.
