What Is The Bhagwant Mann Video Row? The Clip, The ‘Fake’ Claim And Rs 10-Lakh Allegation

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 14:37 IST

The Punjab chief minister denied being the person in the alleged sacrilege video, but two arrests in Gurugram have put the forensic reports cited in his defence under scrutiny.

The forensic reports cited in defence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over a controversial sacrilege video have come under scrutiny after the Gurugram Police arrested two men accused of fabricating evidence to establish that the footage was fake or artificially generated.

The accused, identified as Ankit and Arun Mahendru, were arrested in connection with a case registered at Gurugram’s DLF police station. The arrests were made during police action in Haryana’s Jind and Sirsa districts, sources said.

CNN-News18 has accessed a copy of the First Information Report, which contains allegations of cheating, bribery, coercion and fabrication of electronic records.

The case was registered following a complaint by forensic expert and whistleblower Jaspreet Singh, also known as Jaspreet Jassi, who has been associated with forensic laboratories including Cipher Sentinel Lab and Cyberyan Labs.

According to the FIR, the accused allegedly attempted to pressure laboratory personnel into preparing a predetermined forensic report declaring that the viral video was doctored, AI-generated and fake.

What Was In The Viral Video?

The controversy erupted after a video circulated online purportedly showing Mann sprinkling alcohol near or on portraits of Sikh Gurus. The footage triggered widespread anger among sections of the Sikh community, with critics accusing the chief minister of committing sacrilege.

Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party strongly denied that the person seen in the video was the Punjab chief minister. They claimed that the footage had been manipulated and suggested that an actor or another person resembling Mann may have been used.

The Punjab government and AAP subsequently cited reports from two independent forensic laboratories located outside the state to support their claim.

The reports, according to Mann’s defence, examined 1,191 frames of the footage and concluded that the individual in the video did not match the chief minister’s facial features, height, beard, ears or body structure. They also reportedly cited the absence of a distinctive scar on Mann’s chin.

The Gurugram Police investigation is now examining how these reports were prepared and whether a genuine and independent forensic examination of the video was conducted.

Complainant Alleges Rs 10-Lakh Offer

Jaspreet has alleged that officials linked to the Punjab government offered him Rs 10 lakh to falsely declare that the person seen in the video was not Mann.

According to the allegations recorded in the FIR, he was also threatened with consequences if he refused to cooperate.

The complainant has further alleged that the operation involved meetings and accommodation at a luxury hotel in Gurugram’s Sector 29. Investigators are examining hotel CCTV footage, digital conversations and chats that could establish the sequence of events and the roles of those involved.

The FIR also contains allegations that stamps, credentials and other documents linked to forensic laboratories were forged or misused to lend credibility to the reports.

Investigators are probing whether any Punjab Police personnel or government officials were involved and whether the alleged operation had been approved or facilitated at senior levels. No conclusion regarding the involvement of state officials has yet been announced.

Police Probing Possible Fabrication Of Electronic Evidence

The case includes allegations relating to cheating and the fabrication or manipulation of electronic records.

Police are investigating whether the accused attempted to manufacture a forensic conclusion to provide political and legal protection to the chief minister amid the sacrilege controversy.

They are also examining whether the reports released publicly were based on an actual forensic analysis or had been prepared to support a conclusion decided in advance.

The allegations against the arrested men have not yet been proven in court. The investigation remains underway, and the Punjab government has not been formally named as an accused in the case based on the information available so far.

Opposition Renews Attack On Mann

Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira had earlier alleged that arrests and raids were taking place in connection with the preparation of fake forensic reports. Some of these claims had initially been denied by the Gurugram Police.

The subsequent arrests have prompted opposition parties to renew their attack on Mann and demand his resignation.

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.

The case has acquired heightened religious and political significance because it involves a sitting chief minister, allegations of sacrilege and competing claims over forensic evidence.

The controversy had already caused outrage among Sikh groups, with the Akal Takht reportedly declaring Mann a “Guru Dokhi", or one who has acted against the Sikh Gurus, in June.

Sacrilege allegations have historically been highly sensitive in Punjab and have previously triggered mass protests, violence and major political consequences.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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