‘Not me in viral video’: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann cites forensic review of 1,191 frames, alleges conspiracy

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday renewed his claim that a controversial viral video linked to him was fabricated, after a forensic examination commissioned by the state government reportedly concluded that the individual seen in the footage was not the Chief Minister.

The development comes amid a political and religious controversy over the video, which has drawn criticism from sections of the Sikh community and prompted intervention by the Akal Takht. Mann has maintained throughout that the footage was fake and part of an effort to damage his reputation.

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In a video message shared on social media platform X, Mann said the forensic review examined 1,191 frames of the video and found no match with his facial features.

“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,” he said.

Punjab government cites forensic examination

On Thursday, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu said forensic reports had concluded that the person appearing in the video was not Mann.

According to Cheema, the footage was analysed by two government-recognised laboratories located outside Punjab. He alleged that another individual had been used to resemble the Chief Minister and accused political opponents of attempting to tarnish Mann’s public image.

The Aam Aadmi Party also issued a statement on X, asserting that two independent forensic laboratories had reached the same conclusion.

The party said facial comparison, height assessment, body structure, posture, skin tone and side-profile examinations showed clear differences between the individual in the video and the Chief Minister.

AAP alleges attempt to damage CM’s image

Calling the episode a conspiracy, the party alleged that the video was used to target Mann politically and hurt religious sentiments.

The statement said a detailed investigation would be carried out and those responsible would be identified and brought to justice.

“The truth has prevailed and the conspiracy has been exposed,” the party said.