Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Detained at Delhi Airport, AAP Claims Disrespect

New Delhi, October 21: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was allegedly detained for nearly three hours at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi upon his return from Paris. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claims that a fine of ₹50,000 was imposed on him, labeling the incident as an insult to the Chief Minister and an attack on Punjab’s dignity.

The accusation was made by Baltej Singh Pannu, AAP’s media in-charge in Punjab, in a video statement. He stated that upon the Chief Minister’s arrival at the airport, he was intentionally held back under the pretext that his luggage was arriving or being inspected. Pannu further claimed that three hours later, as Mann was about to leave with his luggage, officials rushed in and stated they were under significant pressure from above, leading to the imposition of the fine.

“Has any Chief Minister ever been detained at an airport for three hours? This is happening solely because Bhagwant Singh Mann is a Punjabi and the Chief Minister of Punjab,” Pannu asserted. He described the incident as a calculated conspiracy, accusing the central government of undermining Punjab and its identity. He referenced the prolonged detention of farmers at Delhi’s borders and the withholding of funds allocated to Punjab.

Reason for the Fine Remains Unclear

So far, there has been no clarification on the reason behind the ₹50,000 fine. The party has not provided any explanation for it either. Meanwhile, there has been no statement from the customs department, airport administration, or the central government regarding the incident. Thus, only AAP’s perspective has been presented so far.

Travel Approved by High Court After Central Government Denial

This trip itself followed a legal battle. The central government had initially denied political clearance for a delegation from the Punjab government, led by the Chief Minister, to travel to France. In response, the Punjab government approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which on October 16, ruled against the Ministry of External Affairs’ decision.

The court noted that the ministry had merely rejected the application on the e-poll clearance portal without providing reasons or hearing the state’s side. The High Court stated that the central government did not clarify what it meant by “political aspects,” and the reasons provided later in an affidavit could not justify the original decision. The court ordered the central government to grant immediate approval for the trip.

The delegation included the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary. The purpose of the visit was to represent Punjab’s cooperative body, Markfed, at the international food exhibition “SIAL Paris 2026.”

CBI to Investigate Jhotta Murder Case

In another development, Chief Minister Mann announced that the investigation into the murder of activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta, who was working against drug abuse in Mansa district, would be handed over to the CBI. The family has long demanded this and had been protesting. Previously, Congress leader Sachin Pilot visited Mansa to meet Jhotta’s family.

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Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.