AAP releases forensic reports challenging Akal Takht's identification of Bhagwant Mann in viral video

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released two forensic reports that it said contradict the recent declaration by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhism, that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appears in a controversial viral video. The party claims the reports indicate the individual in the footage is not Mann.

Last week, Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj rejected arguments that the video was generated using artificial intelligence and declared Mann a 'guru dokhi' (traitor to the faith) and 'Panth dokhi' (traitor to the community). The pronouncement followed complaints from some Sikh groups who alleged the video showed Mann in a compromising situation.

Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the video was examined by two government-recognised forensic laboratories located outside Punjab. He said both laboratories concluded, after analysing 1,191 reference points, that the person in the video does not match Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

“These reference points included facial recognition, frame extraction, height assessment, gait analysis, and examination of body posture,” Cheema said. He did not name the laboratories but claimed they are accredited and independent.

The AAP has not yet released the full reports to the public. Journalists at the press conference were shown only summaries. The party said it would share the complete documents with the Akal Takht and other appropriate authorities.

The Akal Takht, based in Amritsar, issued its 'guru dokhi' declaration on [date, if known]. The declaration carries significant moral authority within the Sikh community but does not have legal force. Mann has not commented directly on the reports but earlier denied any wrongdoing, calling the video a 'deepfake'.

The development has injected a new element into the political discourse in Punjab, where the AAP is in power. Opposition parties have called for a thorough investigation by independent agencies. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) said the forensic reports should be examined by a court of law.

This report is based on statements made by AAP leaders at the press conference and the original Akal Takht pronouncement. Neither the forensic reports nor the video have been independently verified by this publication.