LAHORE: A sessions court has confirmed the pre-arrest bail of a woman professor of Okara University, who is accused of orchestrating a digital defamation campaign against the varsity’s vice chancellor.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered an FIR on a complaint filed by Vice Chancellor Dr Sajjad Mubin under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016.

The complainant alleged that Shehla Honey, an assistant professor at the University of Okara, used a WhatsApp group to disseminate defamatory and derogatory statements against him and other university officials.

According to the FIR, the professor allegedly shared AI-generated posters featuring slogans such as “Stop Harassment at University of Okara” and “Respect Women”.

The FIR said this content is part of a malicious online campaign intended to harm the professional standing of the complainant and the reputation of the university.

Denying the allegations leveled in the FIR, the professor approached the court for bail.

Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada argued on behalf of the petitioner that his client had been implicated in a false case with mala fide intention and ulterior motives.

He said the charges against the petitioner are primarily related to electronic/digital content, which required further inquiry and forensic examination during investigation.

In the bail confirmation order, Additional District & Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqui Malik noted that while the precise allegation involved defamation and harassment via social media, the evidence provided — specifically the screenshots — was not grave in nature.

The judge observed that the suspect had previously filed complaints against the complainant before the university administration and the NCCIA.

The judge stated that the possibility of false implication of the petitioner by the complainant cannot be ruled out.

The judge confirmed the pre-arrest bail, which had previously been granted as interim relief, subject to the petitioner furnishing fresh bail bonds worth Rs100,000.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026