Chandigarh, October 23, 2026 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central Government, alleging that he was deliberately held at Delhi airport for two hours after returning from Paris and subsequently fined ₹50,000. Mann claimed the incident reflected political retaliation, while the allegations remain to be independently established.
Addressing the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during a debate on an official resolution, Mann recounted his experience upon returning from France with his delegation. He alleged that airport officials separated them from other passengers and asked them to wait while their luggage was checked.
According to Mann, the officials found nothing objectionable in the luggage and initially allowed the delegation to leave. However, he claimed that as they were departing, officials cited “pressure from above” and asked them to pay a ₹50,000 fine.
“This is how they take revenge,” Mann alleged, accusing the Centre of targeting him politically.
Mann Raises Questions Over Customs Officials
During his address, the Punjab Chief Minister questioned the identity of the senior Customs official at Delhi airport and alleged that a person named Manish, whom he identified as the head of Customs there, was the brother of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Mann invoked this alleged relationship while criticising the Centre and questioning the circumstances surrounding the airport incident. The claims about the official’s identity, family relationship and alleged political pressure were presented by Mann and have not been independently verified in the supplied report.
Punjab Assembly Seeks Independent Inquiry Into Election Commission
The controversy unfolded as the Punjab Assembly passed an official resolution on Friday seeking an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities involving electoral processes and the functioning of the Election Commission under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The resolution adds to the political confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government and the BJP-led Centre, with questions concerning electoral transparency and institutional independence at the centre of the debate.
Dispute Over Mann’s Paris Visit
Mann’s trip to France had itself become a point of contention. He travelled to Paris to participate in SIAL Paris 2026, an international food trade exhibition held from October 17 to 21.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had allowed a state government plea challenging the Centre’s decision to deny political clearance for his visit, describing the decision as arbitrary in the context reported.
The Aam Aadmi Party had earlier alleged that Mann was detained for approximately three hours after arriving at Delhi airport from Paris and was issued a ₹50,000 challan. Punjab AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu claimed officials had referred to “tremendous pressure from above” and described the incident as an insult to Punjab.
Mann’s remarks in the Assembly have now intensified the party’s allegations of political interference, although the circumstances surrounding the airport episode and the basis for the fine remain matters requiring official clarification.
Political Tensions Escalate
The incident has opened another front in the ongoing political confrontation between the Punjab Government and the Centre. While Mann has portrayed the episode as an act of political revenge, an independent assessment of the allegations and an explanation from the relevant authorities would be necessary to establish what occurred at the airport.
