Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the BJP-led central government of political retaliation after he was stopped by Customs officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport following his return from Paris. The incident has triggered a political confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both sides offering sharply different accounts of the matter.
Mann alleged that he and members of his delegation were made to wait at the airport for approximately two to three hours before being allowed to leave. He also claimed that officials imposed a fine of ₹50,000, describing the episode as an attempt to target him politically.
The BJP, meanwhile, has challenged the chief minister to explain the circumstances surrounding the reported penalty and make the relevant documents public.
Bhagwant Mann Questions Customs Officials' Actions
Speaking during proceedings of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Mann said Customs officials had separated him from his delegation after his arrival from France. According to his account, officials initially said they needed to inspect the luggage.
Mann claimed that the officials later indicated that the checks had been completed and that the group could leave. However, he alleged that they subsequently approached him again and imposed a penalty of ₹50,000.
The chief minister further alleged that officials referred to pressure from higher authorities during the incident. He questioned whether the action was connected to the ongoing political disagreements between his party and the central government.
Mann also referred to Manish Kumar, a senior Customs official at Delhi airport, alleging that he is the brother of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He suggested that the circumstances surrounding the airport incident warranted scrutiny.
These statements represent Mann's allegations. The available information does not independently establish that the Customs action was politically motivated.
BJP Seeks Explanation for the ₹50,000 Fine
Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sarin rejected Mann's allegations and demanded a clear explanation for the reported penalty.
Sarin questioned which items had prompted the Customs Department to take action and urged the chief minister to disclose the fine receipt or other relevant documentation. He argued that Mann should clarify the circumstances before attributing the incident to political pressure.
The BJP leader also maintained that airport authorities routinely conduct customs checks on passengers arriving from international destinations. He said that any special protocol applicable to a chief minister would not automatically exempt luggage or other members of a travelling delegation from the relevant procedures.
The BJP's response has shifted attention towards the specific reason for the penalty and whether the action followed established Customs regulations.
Dispute Follows Mann's Visit to France
Mann travelled to Paris to participate in SIAL Paris 2026, an international food industry exhibition held from October 17 to 21. His visit was intended to promote Punjab's products and investment opportunities to international business communities.
The trip followed a legal dispute over political clearance for his foreign visit. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had allowed the state government's plea challenging the Centre's decision to deny clearance.
The airport controversy has added another point of disagreement between the AAP government in Punjab and the BJP-led Union government.
AAP leaders have previously alleged that decisions concerning Mann's foreign visits reflect unfair treatment of the state government. The BJP has disputed the chief minister's account of the airport episode and called for greater transparency regarding the fine.
Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution Seeking Independent Inquiry
The controversy has also unfolded alongside broader disagreements over the functioning of the Election Commission.
The Punjab Assembly passed an official resolution seeking an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities concerning electoral processes and the functioning of the Election Commission under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Mann's remarks about the Customs official's alleged family connection with the Chief Election Commissioner have further intensified the political debate. However, the alleged relationship does not, by itself, establish that the airport action was connected to the electoral dispute.
What Happens Next?
The central questions concern why Mann and his delegation were stopped, what prompted the reported ₹50,000 penalty, and whether the Customs Department followed the applicable rules.
The BJP has demanded documentary clarification, while Mann has questioned the circumstances of the incident and alleged political retaliation.
A clearer account will depend on the relevant Customs records and any official explanation of the action. Until further details are established, the competing claims should be treated as allegations rather than proof of political interference.
The episode highlights the continuing tensions between the Punjab government and the Centre, with the airport incident becoming another subject of political disagreement.
