CM Mann addressed a press conference in Mohali regarding a viral video and during the briefing Mann strongly denied that he was the person seen in the video and alleged that the footage was part of a planned attempt to defame him, following which a major focus of Chief Minister's press conference was a man named Jagman Samra whom Mann accused of being linked to the creation of the disputed video.
According to CM Mann Jagman Samra is the person who got a prosthetic mask resembling his face made and used it in the creation of the said viral video and also claimed that the person visible in the footage is not him but another individual wearing a mask designed to look like him. During the press conference he displayed material that he said showed Samra holding a mask of his face and discussing plans to shoot a video using it and talking about the same the CM alleged that the mask was used to make it appear as if he was present in the video.
Mann stated that several physical features in the video do not match his own appearance and also pointed to a surgical scar on his neck saying that the person shown in the video does not have the same mark, also claimed that the person in the footage appears taller than him. According to the CM sunglasses were used in the video because eyes cannot be altered through a mask and could reveal the real identity of the person wearing it and argued that these differences prove that the person in the video is someone else.
Mann claimed that Jagman Samra currently lives in Abbotsford, Canada and said alleged that the conspiracy was the handiwork of Jagman Samra, "a blackmailer" who got a prosthetic mask made and shot this viral video in Canada "He has also made a mask of Arvind Kejriwal. A joint forum (of opposition parties) is behind this targeted attack which will be revealed in the days to come" he said.
CM Mann repeatedly referred to Canada while explaining his version of events and said he has not visited Canada since November 2016 and also pointed out that those circulating the video claim it is from 2018 or 2019 and based on this timeline Mann argued that he could not have been present in Canada during the period in which the video is alleged to have been recorded.
He further alleged that Jagman Samra posted related content on social media platforms including TikTok.
The controversy surrounding the viral video has led to significant political reactions in Punjab and Mann alleged that opposition parties have been trying to gain political mileage by circulating what he called a fake video, he claimed that religious directives and public campaigns against him were being used for political purposes. Referring to boards reportedly displayed outside some Gurdwaras calling for his boycott Mann questioned why similar boards were not put up against Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal when he faced action from religious authorities.
CM also maintained that he respects Sri Akal Takht Sahib and said he would appear before it if summoned.
Mann announced that the material presented during the press conference including videos related to Jagman Samra would be sent to both the police and Sri Akal Takht Sahib for examination and said he wanted the matter to be investigated and that Sikh community should decide the truth after reviewing all available facts. Mann also stated that if his government had anything to hide it would not have allowed the matter to be investigated outside Punjab.
During the press conference CM Mann also alleged that Jagman Samra had earlier been involved in blackmail attempts during the farmers' agitation and claimed that Samra had tried to blackmail the son of then Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar over an alleged $100 million transfer related matter as well.