On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Indian entrepreneur Shruti Chaturvedi faced a harrowing experience at Anchorage Airport in Alaska, where she was detained for eight hours by U.S. authorities due to a power bank found in her friend's handbag. Chaturvedi, who runs a public relations firm named Chaaipani, took to social media to share her ordeal, alleging that she was subjected to humiliating treatment, including a physical search by a male officer, and was denied basic rights such as restroom access and the ability to make a phone call.
According to Chaturvedi, the trouble began when airport security discovered the power bank in her friend's carry-on luggage. "Imagine being detained by police and FBI for 8 hours, being questioned about the most ridiculous things, physically checked by a male officer on camera, stripped of warm wear, mobile phone, wallet, kept in a 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 power bank in your handbag suspicious," she expressed in her post on X.
Chaturvedi's experience highlights the ongoing concerns regarding racial profiling and the treatment of travelers at U.S. airports. She claims that the authorities fabricated evidence during her detention, alleging that they used duct tape to attach the power bank inside her friend's bag and took a picture to present to the FBI as proof of suspicious behavior. "They found a power bank in my friend's bag and handbag. And not only did they just flag it, they actually took the power bank and one of the airport security personnel, they used duct tape and they stuck it inside the cabin bag," Chaturvedi explained.
The ordeal lasted for eight hours, during which Chaturvedi and her friends were interrogated separately in different rooms. Chaturvedi stated, "They were questioning me and my friends separately in different rooms and we were isolated. And probably they must have matched our stories, checked our photographs in our phone gallery and things like that, and found that there was nothing suspicious." Despite the extensive questioning, the FBI ultimately found no grounds to hold them further.
Chaturvedi's distress was compounded by the fact that she was not allowed to inform anyone in India about her situation. "I requested the FBI officer who came for questioning if he could call my father or some parent and just inform them that I am here because I was in another country traveling and they must be worried. But they did not call," she recounted. After eight hours of being held, she was finally released, but not before missing her flight and having her luggage confiscated. "They still kept the whole luggage bag and gave a frivolous duffle to keep the luggage," she noted.
In the aftermath of her ordeal, Chaturvedi reflected on the treatment she received, suggesting that her experience was influenced by racial bias. "Once outside, a TSA agent apologised and addressed the race issue without being prompted. He was like, 'Oh, just in case you think it's anything to do with your race, it doesn't.' But of course, it had everything to do with the colour of our skin," she stated, reinforcing the sentiment that many social media users shared in response to her post.
The incident has sparked outrage and concern among netizens, with many condemning the treatment Chaturvedi received. One user expressed sympathy, stating, "I'm truly sorry to hear about this deeply distressing experience. No one should endure such treatment, especially under circumstances that feel unjust or discriminatory." Another user remarked on the broader implications of such incidents, stating, "This is horrifying, but sadly not shocking. The fact that a power bank can trigger hours of detention says more about performative security than actual safety."
Chaturvedi's experience sheds light on the complexities of airport security protocols and the potential for misunderstanding, particularly for travelers from different cultural backgrounds. As she pointed out, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations state that power banks must be packed in carry-on bags, not checked luggage. However, the situation escalated to a level that many would consider excessive.
In her follow-up posts, Chaturvedi emphasized the vulnerability of Indian travelers abroad, stating, "The point is - outside of India, Indians are pretty powerless. Especially when you aren't even allowed to make a phone call to anyone in India." Her ordeal serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring respectful treatment of all travelers, regardless of their background.
As the story unfolds, it raises critical questions about airport security practices, racial profiling, and the rights of travelers. Chaturvedi's case is not an isolated incident but part of a larger conversation about how individuals are treated in the name of security. Her call for accountability and better treatment of travelers echoes the sentiments of many who have faced similar experiences.
As discussions continue on social media and in news outlets, it remains to be seen how authorities will respond to the concerns raised by Chaturvedi and others advocating for fair treatment in travel experiences. The incident at Anchorage Airport is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in ensuring that security measures do not infringe upon the rights and dignity of individuals.
