CHANDIGARH: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Ludhiana Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma to appear before it on October 19 in connection with an alleged fake forensic report case over an alleged role in arranging a 'fabricated' forensic report in connection with a controversial video linked to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.
Sources in the ED said that Sharma has been summoned based on allegations that he had met a few experts in Gurugram to create alleged fake forensic and cyber analysis reports on an alleged controversial video involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that it was AI-generated.
The video, which allegedly showed Mann splashing alcohol on pictures of Sikh Gurus, went viral on social media in June.
The case is linked to a First Information Report (FIR) registered by Gurugram Police and the arrest of the two persons, Arun Mehandru (25) and Ankit (25), for allegedly conspiring to prepare and fabricate forged forensic and cyber analysis reports in connection with the video.
According to the FIR registered in Gurugram, Jaspreet alias Jassi, a resident of Sirsa in Haryana, had then alleged that he was pressured, threatened and coerced into getting forensic reports related to the video with a predetermined conclusion that it was created and manipulated using artificial intelligence.
In his complaint, Jaspreet, who was associated with digital forensics, cyber investigation and electronic evidence analysis, claimed that after reviewing the material provided to him, he had told them that the quality, nature and source of the video material were insufficient to provide a reliable opinion.
At that time, the Gurugram police reportedly obtained CCTV footage of the officials visiting a five-star hotel in Gurugram, allegedly to arrange the "fabricated" report.
They have also checked the entry register of the hotel, where the police officials stayed. Sources added that the CCTV footage from June 16 reportedly showed five people, including complainant Jaspreet alias Jassi, meeting at Hotel Crowne Plaza in Gurugram.
The meeting is claimed to have involved senior Punjab Police officials and was allegedly held to influence the probe into the viral video.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp chats have also surfaced, allegedly showing conversations between a police officer about editing the forensic report. However, the authenticity of those chats could not be independently verified.
Despite repeated attempts, Sharma could not be contacted for his comments.
Following the controversy, CM Mann appeared before the Akal Takht and maintained that he was not the person seen in the video, claiming that it was an AI-generated clip.
Mann had then rejected the video, saying it was "false propaganda" aimed at defaming him.
The Punjab AAP had also claimed that forensic tests by two labs showed that the man in the video was not the CM. Subsequently, another video surfaced that allegedly showed Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma sitting with two persons in Gurugram.
At that time, the Opposition leaders raised allegations that a 'settlement' had been reached to facilitate the preparation of a fake forensic report.
