‘Made To Sit At Delhi Airport For 2 Hours’: Punjab CM Mann Alleges ‘Political Vendetta’ As Customs Head Is CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Brother

News india ‘Made To Sit At Delhi Airport For 2 Hours’: Punjab CM Mann Alleges ‘Political Vendetta’ As Customs Head Is CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Brother

Last Updated:October 23, 2026, 14:03 IST

Speaking during a session of Punjab Assembly, CM Bhagwant Mann said he was made to sit for two hours while officials checked his luggage, but nothing objectionable was found

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday alleged that the October 19 incident, in which he was stopped by Customs officials at Delhi airport upon his return from France, was an act of “political vendetta".

Speaking during a session of the Punjab Assembly, Mann said he was made to sit for two hours while officials checked his luggage, but nothing objectionable was found.

Mann also claimed that the head of Customs at Delhi airport is the brother of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that he is subjected to retaliation whenever an opportunity arises.

WHAT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 19?

Customs officials stopped him and his wife, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, after they opted for the Green Channel (‘Nothing to Declare’). Officials inspected their luggage, which reportedly contained everyday and luxury items (including clothes, shoes, belts, watches, and jewelry) that required declaration.

A fine of ₹50,000 was levied by customs authorities, which was initially paid via official accounts and later reimbursed by the Chief Minister.

WHAT AAP SAID

According to the Aam Aadmi Party, a challan of ₹50,000 was also issued to Mann after his return from Paris. The party further claimed that officials cited significant pressure from higher authorities.

AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu and other leaders claimed the detention was an orchestrated, malicious stunt. They alleged that airport staff admitted they were acting under “tremendous pressure from above" to humiliate the CM as payback for winning the High Court case. Mann himself later lashed out, claiming “nothing was found" in his bags and alleging targeted harassment.

MANN’S PARIS TRIP ROW

The trip, scheduled from October 17 to 21, 2026, was initially blocked by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which cited security risks for a Z-plus protectee and a vague “political angle".

The Punjab government challenged this refusal, arguing that the CM was traveling to promote the state’s agricultural exports. On October 16, 2026, the Punjab and Haryana High Court overrules the Centre’s decision, calling the denial “arbitrary" and without explicit reasoning, thereby granting Mann legal clearance to travel.

Chief Minister Mann successfully inaugurated the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd (MARKFED) stall at SIAL Paris. He launched two canned products under the ‘SOHNA’ brand—Chickpeas in Brine and Red Kidney Beans in Brine—aimed at expanding overseas markets for Punjabi farmers.

The opposition (BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal) heavily criticized the trip, calling it a taxpayer-funded “birthday vacation". They questioned why his wife accompanied him on an official delegation and criticized him for traveling during critical domestic issues, such as a law-and-order crisis and agricultural struggles in Punjab.

About the Author

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

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