Two arrested in Gurugram for ‘fake news’ in Punjab CM Mann’s video row
A viral video allegedly showed a man resembling Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann disrespecting Sikh gurus. File | Photo credit: PTI
Gurugram police on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) arrested two men for allegedly conspiring to prepare fake forensic and cyber analyzes in connection with a controversial video involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, which the Akal Takht, the supreme interim seat of the Sikhs, called “anti-Guru”.
An FIR was registered at the DLF Sector-29 police station and the accused — Arun Mehandru, 25, and Ankit, 25, both residents of Haryana — were arrested by the Crime Branch team.
Complaint filed
The case stems from a complaint by Jaspreet Jassi, a digital forensics expert, who claimed he was approached by people claiming to be senior officials of the Punjab government to arrange a report supporting a foregone conclusion that the person in the viral video was not Mr Mann.
According to the complaint, repeated modifications were requested to accommodate the findings, substantial cash incentives were offered and around ₹10 lakh was paid to facilitate the exercise. He also claimed that he was threatened after questioning the credibility of the reports and the institutions concerned.
Police said Ankit, who works on contract with a government department in Delhi, had prepared a report called “Cipher Sentinel Lab” at the behest of persons posing as government officials. Arun, a contract employee of the Panchkula government department, released another report titled “Cyber Yaan Lab”. Investigators said neither laboratory physically exists or is registered with any government agency.
Although none of the accused were associated with these entities, both allegedly signed the reports in their names. Electronic devices and documents were seized and investigators are looking into the source of the funds, possible manipulation 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 nab all those involved.
Media advisor Jaskaran Singh said those who challenged Sri Akal Takht Sahib “always faced unfortunate results”.
“Unbiased Review”
Tuesday’s arrest came days after Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) official Baltej Pannu cited reports from two independent laboratories that said the person in the video was not Mr Mann, although the laboratories were not publicly identified.
AAP Punjab president Aman Arora said, “If a favorable report was 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 made and circulated the video.
Published – 24 Jun 2026 01:15 IST