An Indian entrepreneur, Shruti Chaturvedi, recently took to social media to share a disturbing account of her experience at the Anchorage airport in Alaska, USA. Chaturvedi, the founder of communications agency Chaai Pani, claimed she was detained by airport security, local police, and the FBI for over eight hours — all because her power bank was deemed suspicious by authorities.
According to her account, the ordeal involved intense questioning, being stripped of her warm clothing, phone, and wallet, and being held in a cold room without access to a restroom or the opportunity to make a single phone call. She said the entire experience caused her to miss her flight and left her and her friend in a highly vulnerable situation.
Chaturvedi revealed that she only posted about the incident after leaving the United States. While she and her friend were eventually released, she alleged that her luggage was not returned and that authorities handed her a basic duffle bag instead. She expressed frustration at how powerless Indians feel outside their home country, especially in situations where even making a phone call back home isn’t permitted.
Internet is shocked
The incident quickly sparked concern and outrage online. Many users on X questioned airport protocols, wondering how else passengers were expected to carry power banks since they aren’t permitted in check-in luggage either. Others called the incident horrifying and urged Indian authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs, to investigate and respond. Some netizens pointed out the problematic nature of what they saw as “performative security,” while many simply extended support to Chaturvedi, calling her experience terrifying and unimaginable.
According to her account, the ordeal involved intense questioning, being stripped of her warm clothing, phone, and wallet, and being held in a cold room without access to a restroom or the opportunity to make a single phone call. She said the entire experience caused her to miss her flight and left her and her friend in a highly vulnerable situation.
Imagine being detained by Police and FBI for 8 hours, being questioned the most ridiculous things, physically checked by a male officer on camera, stripped off warm wear, mobile phone, wallet, kept in chilled room, not allowed to use a restroom, or make a single phone call, made…
— Shruti Chaturvedi 🇮🇳 (@adhicutting) April 8, 2025
Chaturvedi revealed that she only posted about the incident after leaving the United States. While she and her friend were eventually released, she alleged that her luggage was not returned and that authorities handed her a basic duffle bag instead. She expressed frustration at how powerless Indians feel outside their home country, especially in situations where even making a phone call back home isn’t permitted.
Internet is shocked
The incident quickly sparked concern and outrage online. Many users on X questioned airport protocols, wondering how else passengers were expected to carry power banks since they aren’t permitted in check-in luggage either. Others called the incident horrifying and urged Indian authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs, to investigate and respond. Some netizens pointed out the problematic nature of what they saw as “performative security,” while many simply extended support to Chaturvedi, calling her experience terrifying and unimaginable.
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