‘Nothing found in My bags’: Bhagwant Mann alleges harassment, Claims Customs Head Is CEC’s Brother

Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has alleged harassment by customs officials at Delhi airport after returning from France, claiming that he was made to wait for two hours despite nothing objectionable being found in his luggage.

Reacting to the incident for the first time on Friday, Mann said officials had told him that his baggage needed to be checked. However, he claimed that the inspection yielded nothing.

When asked whether he considered the incident harassment, Mann alleged that the head of customs at Delhi airport was the brother of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. He named Manish as the CEC's brother and alleged that he takes revenge whenever he gets an opportunity.

Chief Minister did not disclose what items were in his luggage or what specifically prompted the customs officials to stop him. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also not provided details about the baggage inspection.

AAP Claims Mann Was Held for Three Hours

The controversy began earlier this week when AAP claimed that Mann had been stopped at Delhi airport for three hours after returning from Paris. According to the party, officials also issued him a challan of ₹50,000.

Punjab AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu had alleged that officials initially cited delays related to baggage and its inspection. He claimed that Mann was about to leave the airport and his luggage was being loaded into his vehicle when officials issued the challan.

In a video posted on X, Pannu alleged that the officials said they were under considerable pressure from higher authorities.

AAP Links Incident to Foreign Travel Permissions

Pannu also linked the airport incident to the Centre's alleged repeated refusal to grant permission for Mann's foreign visits, suggesting that the episode reflected a broader pattern of pressure on the Punjab Chief Minister.

Mann's latest remarks have added a political dimension to the controversy, with the Chief Minister alleging a connection between the customs action and the family relationship he cited involving the Chief Election Commissioner.

However, the allegations made by Mann and AAP have not been independently verified. No response from the customs authorities or the individuals named was available in the information provided.