World · India Bureau
Punjab CM detained for three hours at Delhi airport returning from France
The Aam Aadmi Party has alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was held up for three hours at Delhi's airport upon his return from France, claiming it was an act of political overreach by the central government. The opposition Shiromani Akali Dal countered that Mann was detained for allegedly violating customs regulations.
LSN India ·
The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann faced an unexplained three-hour detention at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi while returning from a visit to France. AAP leaders characterized the incident as an example of arbitrary action by the Union government against their party's senior leadership.
According to the party's statement, Mann was stopped during immigration and customs procedures without clear justification. AAP representatives demanded an explanation from the central authorities, suggesting the detention was politically motivated rather than based on legitimate procedural grounds.
The Shiromani Akali Dal, however, presented a contrasting account, asserting that Mann was detained due to alleged violations of customs regulations during his international travel. The opposition party did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the alleged violations.
The incident has added to ongoing tensions between the AAP government in Punjab and the Union government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, with both sides offering divergent explanations for the airport detention.