Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after Haryana Police arrested two individuals for allegedly fabricating a forensic report related to a viral video. The video, which had circulated widely on social media, purportedly showed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a compromising situation. However, AAP leader Baltej Pannu clarified that the person in the clip was not Mann.
Haryana Police Action and AAP's Response
On 24 June 2026, Haryana Police announced the arrest of two suspects who were allegedly involved in creating and disseminating a fake forensic report to support the viral video's authenticity. The arrests came after a complaint was filed by the Punjab government, which accused the BJP of orchestrating a smear campaign against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu stated, "The person seen in the purported clip is not Bhagwant Mann. This is a fabricated attempt to malign the image of our leader and the party."
Political Accusations and Fallout
The AAP has accused the BJP of using state machinery to target political opponents. Pannu said, "The BJP is desperate because they see Bhagwant Mann as a strong challenger. They have stooped to new lows by cooking up evidence." The BJP has denied any involvement, calling the allegations baseless. The arrested individuals are reportedly being questioned to determine if they had any political links.
Impact on Punjab Politics
The incident has further strained relations between the ruling AAP in Punjab and the BJP-led central government. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who has been a vocal critic of the BJP, described the episode as a "dirty trick" to divert attention from real issues like unemployment and farmers' problems. The case is being investigated by Haryana Police, with the Punjab government demanding a fair probe to uncover the masterminds behind the conspiracy.
