On April 8, 2025, Indian entrepreneur Shruti Chaturvedi shared a harrowing experience of being detained for nearly eight hours at Anchorage International Airport in Alaska, after a power bank in her luggage was flagged as "suspicious" by airport security. Chaturvedi, who is the founder of India Action Project and Chaaipani, took to social media to describe the ordeal, which she characterized as the "worst" experience of her life.
According to Chaturvedi, the incident began when she was preparing to drop her friend Shilpa at the airport. After Shilpa's bag was flagged due to the power bank, the anti-bomb squad was called. Concerned about her friend, Chaturvedi approached the airport police for information, only to find herself detained as well.
In her detailed account posted on the social media platform X, Chaturvedi described the conditions of her detention. She alleged that she was subjected to an extensive interrogation, physically searched by a male officer on camera, and stripped of her warm clothing while being held in a cold room. Throughout the eight-hour ordeal, she was denied access to basic facilities, including a restroom and the ability to make a phone call. "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 to miss your flight - all because the airport security found your powerbank in handbag ‘suspicious’,” she wrote.
Chaturvedi expressed her frustration about the treatment she received, tagging India's Ministry of External Affairs in her post. "I don’t have to imagine, already past the worst 7 hours. And we all know why,” she added, highlighting the growing concerns over how Indian travelers are treated abroad, particularly in the United States.
After eight hours of detention, both Chaturvedi and her friend were released without any charges, but authorities confiscated their luggage, only returning a "frivolous duffle to keep luggage." Chaturvedi noted that she waited until she had left the U.S. to share her experience, emphasizing a feeling of powerlessness that many Indians experience while abroad. "The point is - out of India, Indians are pretty powerless. Especially when you aren’t even allowed to make a phone call to anyone in India,” she stated.
This incident has sparked widespread concern, particularly given the backdrop of increasing scrutiny faced by travelers under the current U.S. administration. Reports indicate that stricter measures at U.S. airports have led to numerous instances of travelers, including tourists and visa holders, being detained for extended periods. Countries like Germany and Canada have even updated their travel advisories to the U.S. as a result.
Chaturvedi's experience is not an isolated case. Recent weeks have seen numerous reports of Indian students in the U.S. receiving notifications about their F-1 student visas being revoked due to minor infractions or past criminal charges. Many affected students have been told they must leave the country immediately, prompting fears about the treatment of international students.
As Chaturvedi's account continues to circulate, it raises critical questions about the balance between national security and the rights of individuals, particularly those traveling from abroad. The implications of such incidents extend beyond personal experiences, reflecting broader issues related to immigration policies and the treatment of foreign nationals in the U.S.
In the wake of Chaturvedi's ordeal, there has been no official statement from U.S. authorities regarding the incident. As travelers remain vigilant, the hope is that such experiences will prompt a reassessment of airport security protocols and their impact on innocent individuals.
As the story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities faced by international travelers today, especially those from countries like India, where concerns about safety and security are increasingly intertwined with personal freedoms.
