Chief Minister releases video of Jagman Samra

holding a mask; alleges Akali Dal, Congress and BJP conspired together

Chandigarh, 25 June (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has made

an important disclosure regarding the controversial video, claiming that the

clip was shot as part of a conspiracy by making someone wear a mask resembling

him. He alleged that Canada-based Jagman Samra played a key role in this

conspiracy. On Thursday, in Mohali, Punjab, Bhagwant Mann presented digital

evidence in this regard and claimed that this video would also be sent to Sri

Akal Takht Sahib for investigation.

A purported video of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

had gone viral, in which he was allegedly seen in a hotel room under the

influence of alcohol and behaving disrespectfully with pictures of Guru

Sahibans. On the basis of an FSL examination of this video, Sri Akal Takht

Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj summoned Bhagwant Mann, along with

Sikh ministers and MLAs in his Cabinet, to appear on June 29.

Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema had

released another lab report, calling the report issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib

regarding the viral video false. After this, Gurugram Police in Haryana

arrested two persons for allegedly preparing a fake lab report.

Bhagwant Mann today released a video and said that the

person shown in the viral clip was an impersonator wearing a mask resembling

his face. He said there is no mark on the neck of the person seen in the video,

while he has a visible mark on his neck due to surgery. The Chief Minister said

the person in the video does not have any such mark. He claimed that the video

shows the person wearing a mask.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also released a video of

Canada-based Jagman Samra, who had allegedly released the video. In the clip,

Samra is seen sitting in a car and holding a mask resembling the Chief

Minister’s face. Mann claimed that Jagman Samra got this mask made and shot the

video in a single day.

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that he

has not visited Canada since 2016. He said Samra had met him when he was

associated with the Punjab People’s Party. According to Mann, Samra originally

belongs to Sangrur district in Punjab and had fled from here.

The Chief Minister said he would send this video to Sri

Akal Takht Sahib, in which Samra is seen holding a mask resembling his face. He

said this video should also be investigated. Mann added that the viral video

shows a hotel room, and pictures of Guru Sahibans are not kept in hotel rooms.

He claimed that the video is completely fake.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the Akali Dal, Congress and BJP have

joined hands in this conspiracy. He said all three parties have formed a front

against him. Bhagwant Mann said he has full faith in the people of Punjab and

that the people of Punjab stand with him.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH