PTC Web Desk: Former Punjab minister Sucha Singh Chhotepur was recently denied permission to travel to the United States from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, despite holding a valid tourist visa. His passport was also confiscated by immigration officials, forcing him to return home without boarding his flight to Los Angeles.

Chhotepur was en route to attend a family wedding in Los Angeles and was scheduled to fly via Qatar Airways on the night of April 28-29. However, he was stopped at immigration where officials questioned him and ultimately barred his travel. Chhotepur has expressed his disappointment over being treated unfairly despite having all valid documentation.

The former Punjab minister said he had a valid tourist visa and all supporting documents. There was no criminal or civil case pending against him. He alleged that immigration authorities refused to explain the reason for halting his travel, only stating that his passport was misused — a claim Chhotepur strongly denied. He clarified that his passport was never lost or given to anyone else.

The confiscated passport is expected to be sent to the Jalandhar Passport Office within the next 10 to 15 days, after which Chhotepur intends to pursue the matter further.

Chhotepur, who had renewed his passport in 2019, said this was his first international travel attempt since Covid-19 pandemic. The former Punjab minister said he had travelled abroad multiple times in the past without any issues.