“Detained and Fined Without Cause”: Punjab CM Mann Slams Airport Authorities in Vidhan Sabha

CHANDIGARH – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann raised serious concerns regarding executive overreach in the state Vidhan Sabha, detailing his recent experience of being detained at Delhi Airport following an official international trip.
Highlighting his government’s efforts to attract global business—referencing past successful investment trips to Japan, South Korea, and Germany—CM Mann explained that he was seeking to represent Punjab at the world’s second-largest food fair in France. After overcoming initial travel restrictions via the High Court, Mann stated he was subjected to an unexpected two-hour delay by customs upon returning to India.
Addressing the house, CM Mann alleged that officials conducted a full search without discovering any contraband, yet insisted on imposing an arbitrary ₹50,000 penalty to satisfy supervisory pressure. Framing the ordeal as part of a wider misuse of central authority, Mann criticized institutional decision-making within bodies like the Election Commission and pointed to judicial reprimands over the misuse of stringent laws like the NSA against young protesters.