Claims of being detained for two hours at Delhi airport, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann raises issue in Assembly

October 23, 2026

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann claimed in the Assembly on Friday that the central government first denied him permission for his trip to France and then officials at Delhi airport detained him for nearly two hours. According to Mann, despite his luggage being searched and finding nothing incriminating, he was arbitrarily asked to pay a fine of ₹50,000.

The Chief Minister also questioned the concentration of decision-making power in Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. He claimed that other Election Commissioners were not being consulted on important decisions. Mann described these incidents as retaliatory action and alleged that the BJP government invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against a student in violation of Supreme Court directives.

Mann approached the High Court after being denied permission to visit France

Addressing the Assembly, Chief Minister Mann said that he frequently receives invitations from foreign countries to attract foreign investment to Punjab. He has visited Japan, South Korea, and Germany. He said that these visits have brought investment to Punjab, and companies like CLAAS have started projects here.

Mann noted that the world’s second-largest food fair is being held in France, with major brands from around the world participating. SOHNA, a brand from Punjab-based Markfed, has also set up a stall there. He said that approximately 150 stalls from India are present at the event, and representatives from other states had also invited him to visit their stalls.

According to the Chief Minister, he visited all the stalls representing India, as many prominent businessmen and entrepreneurs from the food industry were also present there.

Allegation of being held for two hours at Delhi Airport

Bhagwant Mann said that after being denied permission by the central government to travel to France, he approached the High Court. According to him, the High Court had directed that protocol be provided to him.

Mann claimed that he was held for approximately two hours at Delhi Airport while returning from France. He asked the officials to follow protocol and explained that there is a set protocol for Chief Ministers of all states.

The Chief Minister said that the officials asked to check his luggage, which he agreed to. According to him, no objectionable items were found during the search, but after two hours he was asked to leave.

Mann alleged that the officials told him that they were under pressure from above. He claimed that the officials asked him to leave or give something and pay a fine of ₹50,000. According to the Chief Minister, the officials described it as a matter of saving their jobs.

Claims Related to the Family of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Chief Minister Mann also made claims about an officer posted at the Customs Department at Delhi Airport. He said that the head of the Customs Department at the airport is Manish, the brother of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Mann alleged that such acts of retaliation are targeted at individuals at various locations. However, this report does not independently verify his allegations.

Questions were also raised about the functioning of the Election Commission

In his address, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann alleged that decision-making powers are concentrated in the hands of the Chief Election Commissioner. He said that with Gyanesh Kumar heading the Election Commission, he has no need to worry.

Mann claimed that the Election Commission has also stated that other Election Commissioners are not being consulted on important decisions and that decisions are being made at their own level.

The allegations of being stopped at Delhi Airport, being issued challans, and pressuring officials are based on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s statement.