A Canada-based man identified by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the controversial video case has denied the Chief Minister's claim that he arranged a mask resembling Mann's face to create the clip.
Jagman Samra rejected the allegation that he had obtained a mask of the Chief Minister or asked anyone to wear it while recording the video.
On Thursday, Mann had asserted that the person seen in the viral video was not him. He claimed that the individual in the clip was wearing a mask resembling his face.
In a video message shared by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on social media, Samra denied any involvement in making the video. "Neither did anyone bring a CM's mask to me, nor did I make payment to anyone. If anybody delivered it to me, then he should come forward," Samra said. He also questioned why there was a need to obtain what he described as a "fake" forensic report.
Addressing reporters in Mohali on Thursday, Mann played the controversial video and claimed that the person appearing in it was wearing a mask that looked like him. The Chief Minister alleged that Samra had brought the mask from Canada and that it was delivered in a car. Mann also displayed another video, claiming it showed Samra holding the same mask.
Calling Samra a "blackmailer", Mann alleged that he got another person to wear the mask and record the video. The Aam Aadmi Party leader further claimed that the video was shot in a hotel room in Abbotsford, Canada.
Mann said he had not visited Canada since 2016, while the video was allegedly recorded after 2017-18. He also alleged that those behind the video had been funded. "Who paid for this video? Who produced and directed it? We will reveal everything in the coming days," he said. Mann said he had met Samra only once when he was associated with the People's Party of Punjab.
"He is not my friend, and I have no connection with him. He lives in Abbotsford and belongs to Sangrur," the Chief Minister said.
On June 15, the Akal Takht issued an edict against Mann over the contents of the controversial video. The action followed a statement by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, who said two forensic laboratories had found the video, purportedly showing a man resembling Mann, to be "authentic".\
Earlier this year, the Akal Takht had summoned Mann over the video and allegations that he made remarks about 'Guru ki Golak' (gurdwara donation box) and engaged in objectionable acts involving photographs of Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Meanwhile, Haryana Police arrested two men on Tuesday in connection with the alleged procurement of a fabricated forensic report related to the video. On Thursday, Gurugram Police said they had obtained CCTV footage showing two Punjab Police personnel visiting a hotel in the city, allegedly to arrange the forged forensic report.
Earlier, on June 23, police arrested two contractual government employees for allegedly preparing fake laboratory reports claiming that the person in the video was not Mann. A local court later sent both accused to eight days' police custody.
Also read: Congress MP Aujla seeks CM Mann's resignation
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