AAP Alleges Central Government Detained Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

The Aam Aadmi Party alleges that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was detained for three hours at the Delhi airport on October 18, 2026, upon his return from Paris. According to the party, airport officials issued Mann a fine of Rs 50,000 and told party representatives they were under "tremendous pressure from above."

Mann had traveled to France to promote state products at SIAL Paris 2026, an international food trade exhibition. The trip occurred only after the Punjab and Haryana High Court overturned the central government's initial denial of political clearance for the visit. Despite the court's intervention, the AAP claims the central government ignored protocol directions, noting that the Consul General in Paris did not meet with the Chief Minister.

Punjab AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu characterized the detention as a deliberate attempt by the central government to undermine Punjab's dignity and obstruct international investment. The party linked the incident to a broader pattern of hostility, alleging that the central government has denied Mann permission for foreign visits at least four times and has withheld state funds.