A viral video purportedly showed a man resembling Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann disrespecting the Sikh gurus. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Gurugram police on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) arrested two men for allegedly conspiring to prepare forged forensic and cyber analysis reports in connection with the controversial video involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, which the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat, had termed “anti-Guru”.
An FIR was registered at DLF Sector-29 police station and the accused — Arun Mehandru, 25, and Ankit, 25, both residents of Haryana — were arrested by a Crime Branch team.
Complaint filed
The case stems from a complaint by Jaspreet Jassi, a digital forensics professional, who alleged that persons claiming to be senior Punjab government officials approached him to arrange a report supporting a predetermined conclusion that the person in the viral video was not Mr. Mann.
According to the complaint, repeated modifications were sought to tailor the findings, substantial monetary inducements were offered, and around ₹10 lakh was paid to facilitate the exercise. He also alleged that he was threatened after questioning the credibility of the reports and institutions involved.
Police said Ankit, who works on contract with a Delhi government department, prepared a report in the name of “Cipher Sentinel Lab” at the behest of the persons claiming to be government officials. Arun, a contractual employee in a Panchkula government department, issued another report under the name of “Cyber Yaan Lab”. Investigators said neither laboratory exists physically or is registered with any government authority.
Though neither accused was associated with the entities, both allegedly signed the reports in their names. Electronic devices and documents have been seized, and investigators are probing the source of funds, possible tampering of digital evidence and the role of other conspirators.
‘Very serious matter’
Terming the alleged fabrication of forensic reports a “very serious matter”, the Akal Takht secretariat on Tuesday urged the Haryana Police to conduct a thorough investigation and expose all those involved.
Media adviser Jaskaran Singh said those who challenged Sri Akal Takht Sahib had “always faced unfortunate results”.
‘Impartial assessment’
Tuesday’s arrests came days after Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) media in-charge Baltej Pannu cited reports from two independent laboratories claiming that the person in the video was not Mr. Mann, though the laboratories were not identified publicly.
AAP Punjab president Aman Arora said “If a favourable report had been sought, it could have been obtained in Punjab itself. He said the reports were sought outside the State to ensure an “impartial assessment” and asked why the Bharatiya Janata Party was not investigating those who created and circulated the video.
Published – June 24, 2026 01:15 am IST
