A digitally altered video showing Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has triggered a major probe by the Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Wing, which has registered an FIR and launched a manhunt to trace the source of the doctored clip. Officials confirmed the video is a “deepfake” created using artificial intelligence tools to mimic the Chief Minister’s voice and visuals in a misleading manner.
According to investigators, the manipulated video was first circulated on social media platforms earlier this week, rapidly gaining traction before being flagged by cyber officials. The clip was reportedly shared by a user named Jagman Samra, who has been booked for uploading and promoting the video. Police teams are now analysing his digital trail, including IP addresses, cloud storage, and linked accounts, to determine the origin of the fabrication.
“The intention behind the clip was clearly malicious — to mislead the public and defame the Chief Minister,” said a senior officer from the Cyber Crime Wing. He added that such acts fall under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, which penalise the creation and circulation of digitally manipulated and defamatory content.
Police said the suspect had even challenged people online to prove the clip was fake, further amplifying the misinformation. “We’re investigating whether he was working alone or as part of a network that creates and circulates deepfake videos for political or financial motives,” the officer said.
The emergence of the AI-generated clip has reignited debate over the dangers of deepfake technology in India’s political landscape. In July this year, a similar deepfake video targeting the Telangana Chief Minister had gone viral, prompting a nationwide conversation about the need for stronger regulation of AI-generated content. Experts have repeatedly warned that advanced editing tools can easily distort reality, blurring the line between truth and fabrication.
Cybersecurity analysts say deepfakes now pose a serious challenge to digital governance. “What once required expensive software can now be done on a mobile app,” said an IT expert from Chandigarh. “Without strong legal deterrents and public awareness, such manipulations can easily be weaponised during elections or public movements.”
The Punjab Police has sought cooperation from major social media companies to remove the video and provide technical support in identifying the origin of the upload. Authorities have also urged citizens not to forward or share the doctored clip, warning that those found spreading it could face legal action.