AAP Alleges Bhagwant Mann Detained For 3 Hours At Delhi Airport, Issued ₹50,000 Challan After Paris Visit

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was detained for three hours at Delhi airport on October 19 after returning from a food trade fair in Paris and was subsequently issued a challan of ₹50,000. The party has accused the BJP-led Centre of deliberately humiliating Mann, while the reason for the penalty remains unspecified in the allegations made by AAP.

Baltej Pannu, AAP’s state media in-charge, claimed that airport officials delayed Mann’s departure by citing luggage checks before issuing the challan. He alleged that officials later told the chief minister they were under “tremendous pressure from above”.

The allegations have added to the ongoing political confrontation between the AAP government in Punjab and the Centre over Mann’s overseas visits and the denial of political clearance for his trip to France.

AAP Alleges Deliberate Humiliation Of Punjab CM

Pannu alleged that Mann was made to wait at Delhi airport for three hours after arriving from Paris on October 19.

According to Pannu, officials initially claimed that Mann’s luggage was still arriving or being checked. He alleged that after the chief minister was finally allowed to leave, officials approached him as he was placing his luggage in his vehicle and issued a challan of ₹50,000.

Pannu did not specify the reason for the penalty but claimed that the episode had been carried out under instructions from higher authorities.

“This is a direct attack on Punjab’s identity and dignity,” Pannu alleged.

He questioned whether a sitting chief minister had previously been detained at an airport for three hours and issued such a penalty, claiming that Mann was being targeted because he was a Punjabi and was working for Punjab’s development.

SAD Leader Claims Luggage And Money Were Questioned

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Bikram Singh Majithia also commented on the incident in a post on X.

Citing sources, Majithia claimed that Mann and his wife were questioned for hours over allegations that they were carrying more luggage or money than permitted. He said they were reportedly unable to provide an explanation and were eventually allowed to leave, taking into account Mann’s position as chief minister.

Majithia further claimed that orders had been issued to verify the bags of the entire Chief Minister’s Office staff.

These claims have not, in the account provided, been independently established. The precise reason for the ₹50,000 challan also remains unclear.

Row Follows High Court Intervention Over France Visit

The airport controversy follows an earlier dispute over Mann’s visit to France, where he attended a food trade fair.

The Centre had denied political clearance for the trip, prompting the Punjab government to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The High Court set aside the Centre’s decision, observing that it had “not explained what that political angle/viewpoint is”.

Pannu said the High Court had directed that Mann be accorded due protocol during his France visit. He alleged, however, that even the Consul General in Paris had not come to meet the chief minister, which he described as evidence of the Centre’s alleged ill intent.

The dispute has become another flashpoint in the strained relationship between the AAP government in Punjab and the BJP-led government at the Centre.

AAP Accuses Modi Government Of Targeting Punjab

Pannu alleged that the incident was part of a broader pattern of what AAP describes as the Centre’s anti-Punjab approach.

He claimed that the Centre had denied Mann political clearance to travel abroad on four occasions, arguing that the restrictions were intended to prevent Punjab from attracting overseas investment.

“The Modi govt fears that if the CM travels abroad, he will bring investment and funds from there and put Punjab on the path of progress,” Pannu alleged.

He also referred to the farmers’ protests at Delhi’s borders, which continued for around 1.5 years, and alleged that the Centre had withheld funds due to Punjab.

“PM Narendra Modi and his govt leave no opportunity to undermine Punjab and Punjabi identity,” Pannu said.

The AAP leadership has demanded that the treatment of Mann be viewed as an issue concerning Punjab’s dignity. However, the reason for the airport challan and the circumstances surrounding the alleged detention remain central unanswered questions in the controversy.