Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Claims Forensic Reports Vindicate Him In 'Sacrilege' Video Row

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has reacted to forensic reports that allegedly found a controversial sacrilege video linked to him was staged. Mann said certain political parties were unable to tolerate the work being done by his government and asserted that those responsible for creating the video should be identified and brought to justice. Earlier, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema cited reports from two independent forensic laboratories, claiming a detailed analysis of 1,191 facial and physical markers showed that the person seen in the video was not Mann. Cheema alleged that an actor was used to create the clip to defame the chief minister and accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of targeting Mann. The controversy comes months ahead of Punjab's 2027 Assembly elections, where AAP will seek a second consecutive term.