CM detained at Delhi airport

The Aam Aadmi Party claimed on Sunday, October 18, 2026 that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was detained for three hours at Delhi airport upon his return from Paris.

Mann fined fifty thousand rupees

Officials issued Chief Minister Mann a challan of fifty thousand rupees during the detention, though the party did not initially say why he was detained or fined.

Mann travelled to Paris for food festival

Chief Minister Mann had travelled to Paris following a Punjab and Haryana High Court order. He went to launch Punjab's famous products at SIAL Paris 2026, held from October 17 to 21.

AAP links detention to Centre denial

Punjab AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu linked the incident to the Centre's repeated denial of permission for CM Mann's foreign visits and accused the Centre of creating obstacles in Punjab's progress.

Officials admitted pressure from above

After three hours, when Mann was about to leave, officials came running after him and said they were under tremendous pressure from above before issuing the fine.

“tremendous pressure from above”

Pannu accuses Centre of humiliation

Baltej Pannu charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government leave no opportunity to undermine Punjab and Punjabi identity, citing the detention as unprecedented disrespect to a chief minister.

Permission denied four times before

Pannu claimed permission for Mann's foreign visits has been denied at least four times because the Modi government fears the CM will bring investment and funds from abroad to Punjab.