A fresh controversy has emerged around the viral video allegedly showing CM Mann and in the latest update Gurugram Police has arrested two people over allegations of preparing forged forensic reports and the case has now moved beyond a political debate and into a criminal investigation.
A video allegedly featuring Bhagwant Mann had gone viral on social media, while some groups claimed the video was genuine Mann consistently maintained that it was fake, manipulated and created using an actor to damage his image and later the issue also reached the Sikh religious body Akal Takht which declared the video authentic however Mann rejected the claim and maintained that the person seen in the clip was not him.
The case began after a forensic expert Jaspreet Singh filed a complaint with Gurugram Police and in his complaint he alleged that he was contacted and called to Gurugram to arrange forensic reports that would conclude the viral video was AI-generated and that the person seen in it was not Bhagwant Mann and according to the complaint he initially informed those involved that the available video quality was too poor to scientifically determine whether it was a deepfake or whether the person in the video matched CM Mann. He alleged that despite his objections he was repeatedly pressured to arrange reports supporting a predetermined conclusion.
According to FIR Jaspreet Singh alleged that:
He attended meetings in Gurugram on June 15 and June 16 and during the meetings he was allegedly asked to obtain two separate cyber forensic reports declaring the video AI-generated and he was also warned that such a conclusion could not be scientifically supported using available material. He further claimed that he was threatened with serious consequences and that his family was also threatened if he refused. He also alleged that around Rs 10 lakh in cash was forcibly placed in his vehicle and the complaint further claims that he later contacted two cyber experts identified as Ankit and Arun to prepare the reports.
According to Gurugram Police Ankit and Arun have been arrested and named in FIR and the complaint alleges that draft reports prepared by them were repeatedly modified through WhatsApp instructions until they matched expected conclusion and police are investigating whether the reports were intentionally tailored rather than prepared through an independent scientific examination meanwhile the two accused are scheduled to be produced before a court.
One of the major allegations in the complaint concerns the laboratories under whose names the reports were issued and the reports were allegedly released under names "Cipher Sentinel" and "Cyberyaan Training Labs" and according to the complaint and subsequent police verification the addresses mentioned for these laboratories did not have functioning forensic labs or legally accredited institutions operating from those locations. Investigators are examining whether the names were used to create documents that appeared to be independent forensic reports.
Jaspreet Singh stated in his complaint that after receiving the cash he deposited Rs 7.5 lakh towards an installment and Rs 2.5 lakh into his personal bank account and he also claimed that Rs 50,000 was transferred online to Ankit while Arun had not yet received any payment. Police have stated that they have secured evidence related to these financial transactions as part of the investigation.
Gurugram Police have registered a case under several provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Information Technology Act and the FIR includes:
Section 111(2)(a) BNS
Section 318(2) BNS
Section 319 BNS
Sections 336(2) and 336(3) BNS
Section 340 BNS
Sections 65 and 66D of Information Technology Act
BJP has described the case as evidence of an attempt to manipulate forensic evidence and create fabricated reports to influence public opinion and the party leaders have claimed that the arrests expose a wider conspiracy.
Bhagwant Mann has consistently denied that the person seen in the viral video is him and has maintained that the video is manipulated, fabricated and intended to defame him and he has also conveyed this position before Sri Akal Takht Sahib stating that an actor was used in the video.
The investigation by Gurugram Police is continuing and authorities are examining the complaint, the alleged preparation of forensic reports, digital evidence, financial transactions and role of all persons named or found involved during the probe and at present the allegations contained in the FIR and complaint remain under investigation.