Bhagwant Mann Accuses Centre of Targeting Him After Delhi Airport Detention Claim; BJP Responds

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the BJP-led Central government of political vendetta after alleging that he was detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport following his return from Paris. The BJP has rejected his allegations and demanded an explanation for the reported ₹50,000 customs fine. Mann raised the issue during a discussion in the Punjab Assembly on October 23, claiming that he was made to wait for around two hours while customs officials inspected his luggage. He alleged that the inspection did not uncover anything objectionable, yet a penalty was imposed.

The Punjab chief minister questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and suggested that the action was politically motivated. He also alleged that officials had referred to pressure from senior authorities, although the claim has not been independently verified. The BJP responded by asking Mann to clarify the reasons behind the customs action. Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sarin reportedly demanded that the chief minister make the penalty receipt, or challan, public and explain which items had led to the fine.

The BJP maintained that customs inspections are part of routine procedures for international travellers and argued that the matter should be judged on the available facts rather than political allegations. The controversy follows Mann’s visit to Paris, where he attended SIAL Paris 2026, an international food industry exhibition held from October 17 to 21. The Punjab government aimed to use the visit to promote the state’s agricultural products, food-processing industry and investment opportunities.

The trip had already drawn political attention after the Centre denied political clearance for the visit. The Punjab government challenged the decision, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed its plea, enabling Mann to travel. Mann has linked the airport episode to broader tensions between his government and the Centre. The BJP, however, has insisted that the customs issue requires a clear explanation and has questioned the chief minister’s allegations.

The incident has added to the ongoing political confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP in Punjab. While the AAP has raised concerns about the treatment of an elected chief minister, the BJP has called for transparency regarding the reported penalty. The precise grounds for the customs fine and the circumstances of the inspection remain central to the dispute. Official documentation explaining the penalty would help establish the facts and determine whether the action followed standard customs procedures. The episode is expected to remain part of the wider political debate between the Punjab government and the Centre as both parties continue to trade allegations over governance and accountability.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.