Punjab chief minister detained at Delhi airport and fined after Paris trip

Aam Aadmi Party officials allege that Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was detained for three hours at Delhi’s airport on Oct 19 and issued a Rs 50,000 challan after returning from a food-trade fair in Paris. Baltej Pannu, the party’s state media head, described the incident as a deliberate attempt by the BJP-led Centre to humiliate Mann and undermine Punjab’s dignity, noting false explanations about luggage checks and pressure from higher authorities.

The party highlights a recent Punjab and Haryana High Court order that overturned the centre’s refusal to grant political clearance for Mann’s France trip and mandated proper one outlet. SAD general secretary Bikram Singh Majithia said Mann and his spouse were interrogated over alleged excess baggage or cash, and that officials also inspected the bags of the chief minister’s staff. This follows earlier instances where the centre denied Mann travel clearance, which AAP interprets as part of a broader anti-Punjab stance.

The controversy intensifies ongoing centre-state tensions, including disputes over farmer protests and funding allocations. AAP urges the central government to respect Punjab’s autonomy and identity.