BJP Demands Answers from Arvind Kejriwal Over Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-23 20:32:00

A sharp political confrontation has broken out between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party after Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of flouting international customs regulations upon returning to the national capital from an overseas tour. Addressing reporters in New Delhi on Friday, October 23, 2026, the state BJP leadership directed a battery of questions at AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, demanding an immediate public clarification regarding undeclared baggage items brought into the country. Malhotra claimed that customs enforcement authorities intercepted the Punjab Chief Minister’s luggage at the airport and slapped an administrative penalty, turning the international trip into the latest flashpoint between the rival political camps.

Alleged Green Channel Evasion: ₹50,000 Penalty Claimed at IGI Airport

The core of the allegations leveled by the Delhi BJP hinges on luggage screening protocols at Delhi’s premier aviation gateway:

Luggage Inspection Following France Visit: According to reports cited by Harsh Malhotra, customs surveillance teams at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport subjected Bhagwant Mann's personal baggage to direct screening upon his arrival back from France.

₹50,000 Penalty Imposed: The Delhi BJP chief stated that discrepancies in baggage declaration led border enforcement officials to slap a monetary fine of ₹50,000 on the incoming consignment.

Questioning Green Channel Usage: Malhotra questioned why an attempt was made to pass through the passenger Green Channel without declaring taxable goods, pointing out that statutory import duties apply equally to all citizens regardless of official constitutional stature.

Political Heat on Arvind Kejriwal: BJP Seeks Transparent Disclosure

Turning the customs episode into a direct political challenge, the Delhi BJP has pinned accountability directly on the AAP high command:

Demand for Public Disclosure: Harsh Malhotra insisted that Arvind Kejriwal break his silence and detail exactly what luxury or taxable consignments were carried in the luggage that prompted regulatory intervention.

Accountability to Punjab and the Nation: The BJP leadership emphasized that citizens of both Punjab and the wider country have an inherent right to know whether administrative privileges were leveraged to bypass standard sovereign customs clearance mechanisms.

Escalating Political Feud: The controversy provides fresh ammunition to opposition parties in Punjab and Delhi, intensifying scrutiny over state government overseas delegations and official protocol compliances.

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