Chandigarh: A day after Gurgaon police registered an FIR on the video controversy, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday alleged that forensic lab owners were “intimidated” to force them to claim that they were paid money to prepare a false report.Alleging a collusion between BJP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Mann accused the opposition of using religion to defame him by misleading people through “fabricated propaganda.” Reacting to this, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini said they can’t even think of such things in a matter concerning the Gurus. Mann vehemently denied that the individual in the video was him, saying that the physical attributes of the man in the video – including physical appearance, height and gait – do not match his own. “Yet, my political opponents tried to portray me as guilty. However, the people and Sikh community saw the video, and it was obvious to them that it was fake,” he said. In a video message, Mann alleged, “Now the forensic lab owners have been attacked by the BJP… They were intimidated, tortured, or threatened with FIRs to extract a confession that they accepted money to furnish a fake report. For the past few days, as part of a very cheap political conspiracy, fake videos of me are being circulated on a daily basis. When my opponents find themselves unable to challenge me on any other front, they try to defame me through religious issues.” Mann asserted that the controversy had begun to backfire on his opponents as public criticism mounted over the release of the video. “As a result, they are stooping too low in politics. They are intimidating the laboratory owners through threats of FIRs and pressure tactics, forcing them to claim that they were paid money to prepare a false report. According to them, the laboratory we used was fake while the one they used is genuine. However, people know very well what is real and what is not,” he added. Pointing out that state govt had the video examined by forensic laboratories, Mann said now those laboratories were being pressurised. “Those who own and operate that laboratory are being targeted because BJP, Akali Dal and Congress have united against me,” he said. He added that he has full faith in Sikh Sangat (community) and the people of Punjab and left it to them. “I belong to the people, and I will remain among them,” he said, asserting that opposition parties were “over-reliant on AI and had lost touch with ground realities”. Mann said wherever he goes for public meetings, huge crowds gather. “The opposition cannot tolerate these crowds because they themselves cannot attract such public support. Therefore, all three parties have joined hands with one objective, to defame me on religious grounds. The final judgement lies with the people,” he said Responding to Mann’s allegations that pressure was exerted on laboratory operators in connection with the case registered by Gurgaon Police, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini said, “This matter is related to the Gurus — the very Gurus who made great sacrifices and showed us the right path. We cannot even think of doing such things. A complaint had been received alleging that an incorrect report had been obtained from a laboratory. The facts were examined and certain issues came to light during the inquiry. It is unfortunate that attempts are now being made to conceal shortcomings by making such allegations.” Gurgaon commissioner of police Sibash Kabiraj said the investigation relies on “irrefutable, scientific, and objective digital evidence”, including verified CCTV footage. “Gurugram Police emphasizes that the probe is entirely protocol-driven and free from human bias, aiming to establish a clear, tamper-proof sequence of events,” he said. BJP MP Rekha Sharma on Wednesday demanded a high-level, independent and time-bound inquiry into allegations surrounding the controversial video. The Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal has demanded the entire case be handed over to CBI as “it has become an inter-state case and there is a money trail which needs to be investigated”. Punjab Congress on Wednesday announced a “boycott” of the CM and demanded his resignation. The party also sought registration of an FIR against Mann under the new sacrilege law.MSID:: 131970434 413 |
