Chandigarh, June 16
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday claimed that forensic examinations conducted by two independent laboratories had concluded that the person seen in an alleged sacrilege video is not Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Addressing a press conference, Cheema accused the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of orchestrating campaign to tarnish Mann’s image, particularly after discussions began on introducing a stricter anti-sacrilege law in Punjab.
The controversy centres on a video that recently led the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs, to declare Mann a “Guru Dokhi” (anti-Guru) and “Khalsa Panth virodhi” (opposed to the Khalsa Panth). The edict was issued after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj stated that forensic analysis had found the video to be authentic and not manipulated or generated using artificial intelligence.
Mann has strongly denied the allegations, describing the video as part of a smear campaign designed to damage his reputation.
Presenting what he said were reports from two government-recognised forensic laboratories located outside Punjab, Cheema argued that detailed facial and behavioural analysis showed significant differences between Mann and the individual in the footage.
According to the minister, the examinations reviewed more than 1,100 facial and physical reference points, including facial structure, height, posture, movement and mannerisms.
“The reports clearly show that the person in the video is not Bhagwant Mann,” Cheema said, alleging that an actor had been used to create misleading content intended to defame the chief minister.
He further accused the SAD of repeatedly attempting to target Mann through political conspiracies, especially since the state government began discussing stronger legal measures against sacrilege.
AAP leader Baltej Singh Pannu said a party delegation would meet Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and seek a thorough investigation into those allegedly responsible for creating and circulating the video.
The dispute has its roots in January, when Mann was summoned by the Akal Takht over allegations that he had made remarks about “Guru Ki Golak” (gurdwara donation boxes) and engaged in activities deemed objectionable in connection with images of Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in a separate video clip.
The issue has since become politically charged with opposition parties demanding Mann’s resignation following the Akal Takht’s edict.
As the row deepens, conflicting claims from religious authorities, political leaders and forensic experts continue to fuel debate across Punjab.
