The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Thursday said forensic examinations conducted by two laboratories had concluded that the person seen in the alleged sacrilege video was not Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Speaking to reporters, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of trying to tarnish Mann's image ever since discussions began on bringing a law against sacrilege.
The Akal Takht had on Monday declared Mann a 'Guru Dokhi' (anti-Guru) and 'Khalsa Panth virodhi' (opposed to the Khalsa Panth) in connection with the controversial video.
The decision came after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj stated that two forensic laboratories had found the video circulating on social media to be authentic. He had said the footage was neither edited nor generated using artificial intelligence.
Mann has strongly denied the allegations and described the video as false propaganda aimed at damaging his reputation. Cheema also took aim at the Akali Dal, alleging that the party had a history of creating conspiracies for political purposes.
“Ever since talks were initiated to enact the anti-sacrilege law, Bhagwant Mann has been targeted. Some conspiracy or the other is being hatched," Cheema alleged. The minister presented reports from two forensic laboratories, claiming that their findings showed the individual in the video was not Mann.
He said the experts studied 1,191 different parameters, including facial features, height, body structure, walking style, standing posture and other physical characteristics before reaching their conclusion.
"After examining all these factors, the reports clearly show that the person in the video is not Bhagwant Mann," Cheema said. He alleged that an actor was used to create the video in an attempt to defame the chief minister. Cheema further said both laboratories are independent, located outside Punjab and recognised by the Government of India.
AAP leader Baltej Singh Pannu announced that a party delegation would meet Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and demand an investigation to identify those behind the conspiracy.
The controversy dates back to January this year, when Mann was summoned by the Akal Takht over allegations that he had made remarks about 'Guru ki Golak' (gurdwara donation box) and engaged in objectionable activities involving pictures of Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in a purported video clip.
Following the Akal Takht's edict against Mann, opposition parties have stepped up their attacks and are demanding that he resign from the post of chief minister.
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