Bhagwant Mann accuses BJP and Akali Dal of pressuring forensic labs in viral video row amid deepfake claims and political controversy in Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has intensified his attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over an ongoing controversy linked to a viral video allegedly featuring him. Addressing a press briefing, Mann accused political opponents of attempting to influence forensic investigations by pressuring laboratory officials and threatening legal consequences.
According to Bhagwant Mann, owners of forensic laboratories involved in examining the viral footage were allegedly intimidated and warned of FIR action if they did not alter their findings. He further alleged that certain political operatives attempted to coerce experts into stating that the reports had been manipulated in exchange for money. Mann maintained that such tactics would not affect public perception, adding that “ultimately, the people will decide.”
The controversy escalated following claims made by a Haryana-based forensic expert, who alleged that senior Punjab officials participated in a clandestine meeting at a hotel in Gurugram on June 16, 2026. It was further claimed that the meeting was intended to influence the outcome of the forensic examination and label the viral video as a deepfake. Alleged CCTV visuals and screenshots of digital conversations have since circulated online, though their authenticity has not been independently verified.
ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ, ਭਾਜਪਾ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਆਪਣੀ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਹਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਬੁਖਲਾਹਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਆੜ ਲੈ ਰਹੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਝੂਠੀਆਂ ਵੀਡੀਓਜ਼ ਅਤੇ ਬੇਬੁਨਿਆਦ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੁੰਮਰਾਹ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਨਾਕਾਮ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਸੱਚ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਝੂਠ ਦੀ ਰਾਜਨੀਤੀ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਰਾਰਾ ਜਵਾਬ ਦੇਣਗੇ। pic.twitter.com/lQJUQjkneC
— Adv Harpal Singh Cheema (@HarpalCheemaMLA) June 24, 2026
also read:- Mann Government Divyang Welfare Scheme: Punjab Expands…
Reports also suggest that certain hotel records and billing details linked to senior police officials have surfaced in connection with the same meeting. Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities in Gurugram have reportedly registered a case and detained two individuals as part of an ongoing inquiry.
The complainant in the case has claimed that he was offered a financial incentive during the alleged meeting to modify forensic conclusions. He also stated that multiple private laboratories, reportedly not accredited by government agencies, were involved in producing initial analysis reports of the viral video.
The dispute has also drawn political and religious reactions. A spokesperson associated with the Akal Takht Secretariat reportedly commented that historical precedents show consequences for those who challenge the authority of Akal Takht Sahib, further adding a sensitive dimension to the controversy.
The viral video at the center of the dispute was initially circulated by an NRI, who claimed it depicted the Punjab Chief Minister in an objectionable situation. The footage allegedly showed a person engaging in inappropriate conduct near religious imagery, sparking widespread political debate and public attention.
However, Bhagwant Mann has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that the individual in the video is not him and questioning the credibility of the footage. The matter remains under investigation, with competing claims and counterclaims yet to be independently verified.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it has become a focal point of political confrontation in Punjab, with demands for transparent investigation and verification of digital evidence gaining momentum.
For More Hindi News: http://newz24india.com