Chandigarh: A political controversy erupted after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was allegedly stopped for several hours at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport upon his return from France late on Monday night.
Mann had left for France on October 17 after the Punjab government approached the Punjab and Haryana high court over the Centre’s refusal to grant political clearance for his visit. He returned to Chandigarh late on October 19.
According to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Baltej Pannu, customs officials held Mann at the airport around 11 pm, citing issues related to his baggage. Pannu alleged that after the chief minister left the airport and got into his car, officials stopped him again and issued a ₹50,000 challan.
Pannu accused the Centre of violating court directions and protocol arrangements during Mann’s overseas visit. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unhappy that Mann had travelled to France despite the Centre’s refusal to grant clearance, forcing the state government to seek judicial intervention. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The AAP spokesperson also claimed that India’s consul general in France was expected to meet Mann under the applicable protocol but did not do so. The Punjab government had challenged the Centre’s refusal before the Punjab and Haryana high court, which accepted its petition, according to the report.
Mann visited Paris from October 17 to 21 to attend an international food festival, where he launched products from Markfed, Punjab’s cooperative brand.
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also posted on X that Mann had been questioned for several hours at the airport and that officials had ordered baggage verification.
