CHANDIGARH / MOHALI, June 18, 2026: Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, along with AAP Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu, on Thursday alleged that a coordinated political conspiracy was hatched to defame Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, hurt religious sentiments, and disturb Punjab’s social harmony through the circulation of a fabricated viral video.
Addressing a press conference, the AAP leaders claimed that forensic investigations conducted by two independent laboratories recognised by the Government of India have conclusively established that the person seen in the viral video is not Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. They said the scientific findings have completely dismantled what they described as a politically motivated misinformation campaign.
According to the leaders, the controversy emerged shortly after the Punjab Government enacted the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, and they alleged that certain anti-Punjab and anti-Panth forces launched a deliberate attempt to target the Chief Minister and create unrest in the state.
Forensic Examination of 1,191 Frames Finds No Match with CM Bhagwant Mann
Sharing details of the investigation, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the viral video underwent a comprehensive forensic examination by two separate Government-recognised laboratories.
He stated that experts analysed a total of 1,191 frames from the video and examined multiple parameters, including facial features, body structure, height, shoulder alignment, posture, walking patterns, side profile and back profile.
“The findings of both laboratories are identical and unambiguous. The individual visible in the viral video does not match Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann,” Cheema said.
He further revealed that the forensic experts estimated the height of the person seen in the video to be approximately 5 feet 10 inches, whereas CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s height is around 5 feet 8 inches. The reports also highlighted noticeable differences in facial characteristics, body proportions, shoulder positioning and overall physical appearance.
Cheema said the scientific evidence has completely exposed those who attempted to mislead the public by falsely linking the Chief Minister to the video.
AAP Accuses Akali Dal of Exploiting Religious Issues for Political Gain
Targeting the Shiromani Akali Dal, Harpal Singh Cheema alleged that the party has a long history of politicising religious issues while failing to safeguard Panthic values whenever it was in power.
He referred to several incidents, including the 1986 Nakodar episode, the 2015 sacrilege (beadbi) cases, and the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents, claiming that Punjab has repeatedly witnessed painful controversies under previous Akali Dal governments.
“The people of Punjab have not forgotten these incidents. Every time such sensitive issues emerged, justice was delayed and accountability was avoided,” Cheema said.
The Finance Minister further alleged that despite remaining in power after the 2015 sacrilege incidents, the then government failed to act effectively even after receiving findings from the Justice Zora Singh Commission. He added that multiple investigations initiated afterward also failed to deliver meaningful results until the AAP government assumed office.
Cheema accused Akali Dal leaders of repeatedly seeking votes in the name of Panthic politics while failing to uphold the principles they claim to represent.
Satkar Act 2026 Triggered Political Discomfort, Claims AAP
Highlighting the Punjab Government’s legislative initiatives, Harpal Singh Cheema said the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026 introduced some of the strictest legal provisions against acts of sacrilege.
The legislation provides stringent punishment, including life imprisonment and substantial financial penalties for offences involving disrespect towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Cheema claimed that certain political groups became uncomfortable following discussions surrounding the legislation and subsequently launched efforts to tarnish the image of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
“Ever since the government initiated this landmark legislation, attempts have been made to target and malign the Chief Minister. The fake video appears to be part of that broader conspiracy,” he said.
Warning of strict legal action, the Finance Minister asserted that every individual involved in creating, distributing or promoting fabricated content would be identified and prosecuted.
“Conspiring against social harmony and exploiting religious sentiments for political purposes is a serious offence. Those responsible will face the full force of the law,” he added.
Baltej Pannu Calls It One of the Most Shameful Smear Campaigns in Indian Politics
Speaking at the press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu described the episode as one of the most disgraceful attempts in Indian political history to malign a sitting Chief Minister.
According to Pannu, the video was initially circulated among journalists with the intention of getting it aired as authentic content. However, he claimed that responsible media professionals refused to broadcast the footage after questioning its authenticity.
“When credible media platforms refused to run the content, those behind the conspiracy allegedly resorted to alternative channels to spread misinformation and damage the Chief Minister’s reputation,” he said.
Pannu stated that Punjab has witnessed significant governance reforms under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and suggested that political opponents were becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the government’s performance and growing public support.
He also alleged that individuals named in investigations related to sacrilege and police firing cases were attempting to divert public attention from ongoing legal proceedings by launching misinformation campaigns.
AAP to Seek Comprehensive Investigation into Entire Conspiracy
Announcing further action, Baltej Pannu said that an AAP delegation would soon meet the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, and formally demand a comprehensive investigation into the alleged conspiracy.
He said the party would seek identification of every individual, organisation and network involved in creating, circulating and amplifying the fabricated video.
“The objective behind the campaign was allegedly to provoke religious sentiments, spread misinformation and disturb Punjab’s communal harmony. Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice,” Pannu said.
He added that Punjab cannot allow organised attempts to mislead the public through fabricated propaganda and false narratives.
Truth Has Prevailed, Say AAP Leaders
Concluding the press conference, both Harpal Singh Cheema and Baltej Pannu maintained that the forensic findings have completely discredited the allegations associated with the viral video.
They asserted that scientific evidence has exposed what they described as a politically motivated campaign aimed at defaming a democratically elected Chief Minister and creating divisions within society.
“The fake video has been exposed. The conspiracy has been exposed. Punjab’s people will never forgive those who attempted to misuse religious sentiments and spread falsehoods for political gain,” the leaders stated.
They reiterated that the Punjab Government remains committed to maintaining communal harmony, protecting religious sentiments and ensuring strict action against anyone found guilty of spreading fabricated content intended to destabilise the state.
