New Delhi: A political controversy has erupted after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was reportedly stopped for around three hours at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on returning from France on October 19, 2026. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that he was deliberately harassed and subsequently issued a ₹50,000 challan. However, reports citing Customs sources attributed the charge to allegedly undeclared goods found during baggage inspection.
Mann had travelled to Paris to attend SIAL Paris 2026, an international food trade exhibition held from October 17 to 21. His visit was aimed at promoting Punjab’s agricultural and food-processing products in international markets. A state delegation also participated in the event through the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (Markfed).
Why Was Bhagwant Mann Stopped at the Airport?
According to AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu, Mann was made to wait at the airport for nearly three hours after returning from France. Pannu alleged that officials initially cited reasons related to the arrival and inspection of baggage.
He further claimed that the Chief Minister was eventually allowed to leave but was issued a challan of ₹50,000. According to Pannu, officials indicated that they were acting under pressure from higher authorities.
The AAP has questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and alleged that the treatment meted out to the Chief Minister was deliberate. These allegations have not been independently established.
What Do Customs Sources Say About the ₹50,000 Charge?
Reports citing Customs sources stated that Mann and members of his accompanying staff were stopped while exiting through the airport’s green channel. Officials reportedly inspected their baggage and found certain luxury items that had allegedly not been declared.
According to these reports, the ₹50,000 amount was imposed as customs duty on the allegedly undeclared items. The baggage of other members of the accompanying team was also reportedly checked.
There is an important distinction between the two accounts: AAP has described the amount as a fine or challan, while Customs-related reports have referred to customs duty on allegedly undeclared goods. A detailed official statement clarifying the exact basis of the charge has not been established in the available reports.
Saurabh Bharadwaj Accuses Centre of Targeting Punjab CM
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj criticised the alleged treatment of Mann and accused the BJP-led central government of targeting the Punjab Chief Minister for political reasons.
He described the incident as an insult to Punjab and its people and questioned why an elected Chief Minister should be subjected to such treatment.
The AAP has linked the airport controversy to earlier disputes over Mann’s foreign visits, alleging that the Centre has repeatedly created obstacles for the Punjab government’s international engagements. The political allegations remain contested, and no evidence publicly confirming political interference in the airport inspection has been established.
What Did SAD Leader Bikram Singh Majithia Claim?
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia offered a different account of the incident. He claimed that Mann and his wife, Gurpreet Kaur, were questioned by Customs officials over the alleged carriage of luggage or cash beyond the permitted limits.
According to Majithia, the couple was questioned for several hours and was eventually allowed to leave, taking Mann’s position as Chief Minister into consideration. He also claimed that officials ordered checks of the baggage belonging to members of the Chief Minister’s Office staff.
These claims have not been independently verified. They represent Majithia’s account of the incident rather than a confirmed official finding.
Political Controversy Continues
The incident has triggered a fresh exchange between the AAP and its political opponents. While the AAP alleges deliberate harassment and political targeting, reports citing Customs sources point to the alleged non-declaration of certain goods as the reason for the charge.
The precise circumstances of the inspection, the legal basis for the ₹50,000 amount and the competing claims require further official clarification.
