Punjab Police Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav has given the first official reaction to the controversy surrounding a viral video of former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, the DGP said that the FIR registered by Jalandhar Police was done after following the complete legal procedure and was based on technical and forensic evidence.
His remarks come at a time when the issue has sparked a major political debate, with the Delhi Assembly accusing Punjab Police of violating its privilege by registering a case related to the video clip.
According to DGP Yadav, investigators found that the viral video circulating on social media had been edited and manipulated. The altered clip, he said, falsely attributed derogatory remarks about Sikh religious figures to Atishi, which could have hurt religious sentiments and disturbed public harmony. On the basis of this forensic report, Jalandhar Police registered an FIR against unidentified persons who allegedly circulated the doctored video with malicious intent.
While defending the police action, the DGP chose not to comment on the privilege notice issued by the Delhi Assembly to him and other senior Punjab Police officials. The Assembly has sought explanations from DGP Gaurav Yadav, the Jalandhar Commissioner of Police, and the Special DGP of the Cyber Cell, stating that the video was part of official House proceedings and that the FIR amounts to a breach of legislative privilege.
Yadav was addressing the media during a briefing on a major breakthrough in a high-profile murder case. AAP-affiliated sarpanch Jarmal Singh was shot dead on January 4 during a wedding ceremony at the Mary Gold Resort in Amritsar. CCTV footage showed two assailants approaching Singh from behind and shooting him at point-blank range before fleeing the scene.
Punjab Police have arrested seven accused in the case so far. Two shooters were apprehended in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, with the help of local police, while five others were arrested from Mohali and Tarn Taran in Punjab. Police investigations revealed that the conspiracy was orchestrated by handlers based abroad, who arranged funds, weapons, and logistics from outside India.
Foreign-based gangsters, including Prabh Dasuwal, later claimed responsibility for the killing on social media, alleging that Jarmal Singh had survived three earlier assassination attempts. One of the main conspirators, Harnoor Singh alias Noor, was killed in a police encounter in Tarn Taran shortly after the murder.
DGP Yadav said the arrested suspects are being intensively questioned to uncover the full criminal network, money trail, and arms supply chain. He reiterated that Punjab Police has launched a special drive against organised crime and assured that no criminal would be spared, regardless of where they are hiding.
Meanwhile, the Atishi video controversy continues to generate political and legal tension. With Punjab Police standing firm on its investigation and the Delhi Assembly insisting on its privilege, the coming days are expected to be crucial as both sides prepare for the next round of legal and political developments.