Jalandhar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Ludhiana commissioner of police (CP) Swapan Sharma in connection with a money-laundering probe into allegedly fake forensic and cyber analysis reports involving a controversial video of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann.
Subsequent verification by Gurugram police confirmed that the two entities cited in the defence—Sentinel Lab and Cyberian Labs—lacked government recognition, possessed no certified accreditation, and operated without office addresses. The complaint was lodged in Gurugram by Jaspreet Singh, a Sirsa-based forensic and cyber expert. He approached the Gurugram police after receiving illicit money transfers through bank accounts registered within Gurugram’s commercial banking jurisdiction, bypassing Punjab state agencies. Acting on the FIR, Gurugram police arrested two individuals—Arun Mohindru and Ankit.
The ED’s money-laundering action stems from a case registered by the Gurugram police on June 23. The FIR was filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by personation), 336 (forgery), and 340 (using a forged document or electronic record as genuine), along with provisions of the Information Technology Act. Investigators allege that ₹ 10 lakh ( ₹ 7.5 lakh in one bank account and ₹ 2.5 lakh in another) was paid to manufacture fraudulent forensic reports declaring the controversial video AI-generated. June 23: Haryana Police register FIR after bank trails reveal ₹ 10 lakh bribe paid for fake forensic reports; two arrested.
In his statement, Singh alleged that Punjab officials frequently approached him at the Ludhiana cyber police station to influence the forensic findings.
The FIR refers to a senior Punjab Police officer under the alias “Bade Sahib”—whom investigators suspect is connected to the Ludhiana police leadership, prompting the ED’s direct summons to Sharma.
“The investigation aims to establish the source of money allegedly paid to the accused to procure pre-fixed forensic opinions. Other individuals involved in the case will also be summoned.”
An ED official said the probe was initiated to track the source of illicit funds.
