‘Arrest Bhagwant Mann’: BJP In Attack Mode As Expert Alleges ‘Rs 10 Lakh Paid To Forge Video Report’

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 12:54 IST

A Haryana-based forensic and cyber investigation expert has filed a formal complaint with the Gurugram Police. Mann has maintained he is not the person seen in the video

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the arrest of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann following allegations that top Punjab Police officials paid Rs 10 lakh to fake a forensic report to declare an “objectionable" viral video allegedly showing the desecration of Sikh Guru’s photos and linked to the CM as manipulated.

A Haryana-based forensic and cyber investigation expert has filed a formal complaint with the Gurugram Police.

What are the allegations?

The complainant, Jaspreet, stated that individuals claiming to be senior Punjab government officials, including a DIG-rank and an SP-rank officer, approached him. They allegedly pressured him to arrange forensic laboratory reports that supported a predetermined conclusion favoring the Chief Minister, say reports.

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According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused officials allegedly threatened the expert and forcibly left Rs 10 lakh in cash inside his vehicle to secure the desired reports.

The expert claimed he was forced to source reports from two separate laboratories and was warned that his family’s safety would be at risk if he failed to comply.

The expert later admitted in a recorded statement that he fabricated the reports under immense duress and had no knowledge of the technical competence or accreditation of the listed entities.

Police Action and Arrests

Following the complaint, the Gurugram Police Crime Branch registered a case and arrested two suspects, identified as Arun Mahendra and Ankit. The police are currently tracing financial channels and examining electronic devices to identify other conspirators.

ACP Naveen Sharma told the reporters on Tuesday, “The Gurgaon Police received a complaint. We have taken two individuals into custody; an interrogation is currently underway. One suspect has been identified as Ankit, a cyber-expert working with the NIA on a contract basis; the other individual is named Arun. The complaint pertains to a viral video that they had fraudulently created and circulated. They did not operate out of any government-recognised laboratory. They fabricated a video featuring the Chief Minister of our neighbouring state. We have detained them for this act, and the investigation is ongoing."

“They stated that they were given Rs 10 lakh for this task, and indicated that certain officials from the neighbouring state were also involved. Whatever further details emerge from the ongoing investigation will be discussed and verified with a forensic expert."

BJP’s demand

Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday called for Mann’s arrest. “Bhagwant Mann remained silent, Arvind Kejriwal also remained silent, and today the arrests and case filed against those who provided this forensic report were made…The way such a grave sin has been committed, and the attempt to suppress it with the help of money and the police, has been challenged. Sikh authorities, the dignity of Sikhs, and the sentiments of Sikhs have been challenged…When will a case be filed against Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann? When will Bhagwant Mann be arrested in this case?" Sirsa said while addressing a press conference.

What Bhagwant Mann said

After the Akal Takht summoned Bhagwant Mann over the viral video, disrespecting the Sikh Gurus, he termed it a “well-planned conspiracy" against him and said that the person in the controversial video is not him.

The Punjab CM had said that the individual present in the video is an actor who looks like him. He further underlined that the Director General of Police (DGP) have been instructed to identify and arrest the accused.

In a video message issued on June 19, Mann said, “It is not me in the viral video, but an actor who looks like me. 1,191 frames were examined during the forensic analysis; not a single frame matches me. A well-planned conspiracy was hatched to defame me. Instructions have been issued to the DGP to identify the conspirators and take action against them. The guilty will be apprehended and brought back from any corner of the world."

The Akal Takht, led by acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has directed the Sikh community to shun ties with Mann over the controversy surrounding the video.

With ANI inputs

About the Author

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

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