FIR alleges pressure to declare Punjab CM video ‘AI-generated’; two arrested
Punjab CM viral video controversy: The Haryana Police have uncovered an alleged conspiracy to procure fabricated forensic and cyber analysis reports in connection with a controversial viral video purportedly linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Acting on a complaint filed by a cyber and forensic professional, the Gurugram Police registered an FIR and arrested two accused on Tuesday, while expanding the probe into what investigators describe as an attempt to influence digital evidence and forensic findings.
The case was registered at DLF Sector-29 police station, Gurugram, under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The police said the investigation involves allegations of pressure, financial inducements, threats and efforts to obtain a predetermined forensic conclusion regarding the authenticity of the viral video. Breaking news-Gurgaon police registers FIR in the infamous fake video scandal of @BhagwantMann !
Many more culprits will be nominated after investigation !
We @INCIndia stand vindicated that @AamAadmiParty procured a fake forensic report to cover up the dirty deeds of… pic.twitter.com/95ikGbkmcB — Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) June 23, 2026
Two arrested following FIR registration
Following the registration of the case, a special investigation team was constituted under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Gurugram. The team, led by Sub-Inspector Lalit, In-Charge of Crime Branch Sector-40, conducted raids and arrested two accused from Gurugram on June 23.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ankit Mahenderu (25), resident of Agrasen Colony, Sirsa, Haryana and Ankit Sharma (25), resident of Kharak Gagar village, Jind, Haryana.
The police said both accused are being questioned regarding their alleged role in arranging forensic reports, coordinating with various individuals involved in the process and handling financial transactions connected to the case.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Jaspreet Singh alias Jassi, a resident of Sirsa who works in the field of digital forensics, cyber investigations and electronic evidence analysis, alleged that he was approached by individuals claiming to be senior Punjab Government officials.
The complainant stated that on the night of June 15, he was called to the Crowne Plaza Hotel near IFFCO Chowk in Gurugram, where he met persons who introduced themselves as senior Punjab Government officials along with another individual described as a senior officer.
During the meeting, Jaspreet alleged that he was asked to conduct a forensic examination of a politically sensitive viral video and prepare a report concluding that the footage was fake, AI-generated or a deepfake. According to the complaint, the objective was to establish that the person appearing in the video was not Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and that all allegations connected to the video were false.
The complainant told investigators that he informed those present that the quality of the video was inadequate to arrive at any definitive scientific conclusion. He further stated that he was neither a certified expert for such analysis nor in a position to conclusively verify the authenticity of the footage.
Despite these reservations, the FIR alleges that repeated pressure was exerted on him to issue a report declaring the video AI-generated.
According to the complaint, after he expressed his inability to provide such a conclusion, he was introduced to other individuals who could allegedly facilitate the preparation of reports supporting the desired narrative.
The complaint further alleges that reports were eventually prepared through entities identified as Cipher Sentinel Lab and Cyberyan Labs.
Jaspreet claimed that upon conducting his own verification, he found no evidence that these institutions were recognised by any competent government authority to conduct such forensic examinations. He also alleged that draft reports were circulated through WhatsApp and repeatedly modified based on suggestions received from various individuals before finalisation.
According to the complaint, the reports were revised multiple times to ensure that they aligned with a predetermined conclusion regarding the video's authenticity.
One of the most serious allegations in the FIR concerns the use of financial inducements and intimidation.
The complainant alleged that substantial sums of money were offered to secure the preparation of favourable forensic reports. He claimed that a cash amount of Rs 10 lakh was forcibly placed in his vehicle despite his objections.
The FIR further alleges that payments were made to other individuals involved in the preparation of the reports through various channels.
Jaspreet also claimed that when he raised concerns regarding the legitimacy of the exercise and questioned the authenticity of the institutions involved, he was subjected to threats and pressure to remain silent. He has sought security from the Haryana Police, citing concerns for his life and the safety of his family.
The police said investigators are examining multiple aspects of the alleged conspiracy, including the identities of all persons involved in preparing the forensic and cyber reports; authenticity, legal status and credibility of the institutions that issued the reports; the source, movement and distribution of funds linked to the operation, any attempts to manipulate, tamper with or misrepresent digital evidence and the role of unidentified officials and other potential beneficiaries and electronic devices, communication records, CCTV footage and documentary evidence connected to the case.
Investigators are also examining allegations that pen drives containing relevant material were handed over to the accused by certain individuals at locations in Panchkula and Delhi.
The FIR, numbered 0263, was registered at 5.43 pm on June 23 under Sections 111(2)(a), 318(2), 319, 336(2), 336(3) and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 65 and 66D of the Information Technology Act.
In an official statement, the Gurugram Police said the matter is being investigated with utmost seriousness. Officials said efforts are underway to identify and arrest other persons involved in the alleged conspiracy and that assistance from agencies in other states and technical experts may be sought if required.
"No individual is above the law, and every conspiracy aimed at distorting the truth will be thoroughly investigated and exposed through due legal process," the police statement said.
- PTC NEWS
