The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a summons for Swapan Sharma, the Ludhiana Police Commissioner, to appear at its Chandigarh headquarters on October 19. The summons follows an FIR filed by Gurugram Police that arrested Arun Mehandru and Ankit for allegedly forging forensic and cyber‑analysis reports. The reports claimed that a viral clip of CM Bhagwant Mann had been AI‑generated.
The viral clip, which shows liquor being splashed on photographs of Sikh Gurus, ignited outrage across Punjab. Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the video of sacrilege and the forensic evidence of being fabricated. He also called on the ED to scrutinise the report and the parties behind it.
Gurugram Police’s filing came after the arrests of the two men who, according to the FIR, produced forged reports. The ED’s intervention signals a probe into the authenticity of the forensic analysis and the motives behind its creation.
Sources say the ED will examine the forensic report in detail and identify the individuals responsible for the alleged forgery. The investigation may also look into whether political interests influenced the reports.
The summons marks the first step in the inquiry; the ED is expected to hold further hearings and could file charges if evidence warrants it. The case is already drawing scrutiny from opposition parties and the public.