By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: A political storm has erupted in Punjab after Canada-based NRI Jagman Samra threatened to release more obscene videos purportedly featuring Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, even as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called the material “a deepfake smear campaign” and the Punjab Police registered a criminal case against him.
This incident unfolds amid growing political tension in Punjab. AAP has alleged a coordinated attempt by rival parties to discredit CM Mann using digital manipulation.
Jagman Samra in a facebook post has claimed that he had ten obscene vidoes of Bhagwant Mann and three of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. He said that he was not scared of police case against him. He said more videos will be released on coming Satuday. He challenged Bhagwant Mann to probe that vidoes were fake.
The Aam Aadmi Party has categorically rejected the videos as “completely fabricated”, accusing “right-wing trolls” and the BJP of orchestrating a “character assassination plot.”
According to AAP, the video’s visuals clearly do not match Mann’s current appearance — pointing out differences such as a thinner build, denser beard, and fuller hair — inconsistent with his look from the last decade.
“This is a malicious attempt to malign the Chief Minister using AI-generated deepfake technology, ” Malwinder Singh Kang AAP MP and spokesperson said. He blamed BJP for spreading the fake video. He added that police had registered a FIR and court had ordered to remove the objectionable video.
Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Cell, Mohali, registered an FIR on October 21, 2025, against Jagman Samra under Sections 340(2), 353(1), 353(2), 351(2), and 336(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, along with Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000 — which deals with the publication or transmission of obscene material.
The FIR describes the content as “vulgar, unlawful, and likely AI-generated”, warning that such videos have the potential to “incite hatred, enmity, or ill-will.”
Police sources said a full-scale cyber forensic investigation has been initiated to trace the origin of the videos and identify any collaborators. Investigators are also examining whether Samra acted out of personal animosity, as he is said to have known Mann years ago before a falling out.
Punjab Police have warned the public against sharing or forwarding the video, citing potential criminal liability under the IT Act.
“Circulating or even resharing such content will invite strict action, ” said a police spokesperson. “We are monitoring digital footprints and taking proactive measures to curb misinformation.”
On October 23, a Mohali court ordered Meta (Facebook) and Google to remove all versions of the video from their platforms within 24 hours, warning of legal action for non-compliance.
Facebook has since deleted both Samra’s account and the posted clips. AAP has cited the removal as “proof that the video was fraudulent and violated platform policies.”
While the BJP has refrained from defending the video’s authenticity, its leaders questioned CM Mann’s continued silence. The party said the Chief Minister owed the public an explanation, while AAP shot back, accusing the BJP of weaponizing disinformation ahead of upcoming local elections.
Who is Jagman Samra?
Samra, a resident of Abbotsford, British Columbia, hails from Phaguwala village in Sangrur district, the Chief Minister’s home turf. An MA English graduate from Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, he describes himself as an “entrepreneur.”
His now-deleted Facebook page, which had around 35, 000 followers, was the main platform where he uploaded the alleged videos.
In his posts, Samra claimed the videos were “real, ” even offering rewards of ₹5 crore, later reduced to ₹10 lakh, for anyone proving them AI-generated. He has hinted at releasing “more material soon.”
Police sources revealed that Samra has a criminal background — in 2022, he escaped judicial custody in Faridkot while facing charges in a ₹65 lakh cheating and criminal conspiracy case registered at Talwandi Bhai police station, Ferozepur.
His X (formerly Twitter) account, @JagmanSamra, has shown no recent activity, suggesting that the dissemination occurred primarily through Facebook.