Physically searched by male officer, removed of warm clothing’: Indian woman claims racial profiling at US airport

A US-based Indian businesswoman has complained that she was held by US authorities at the Anchorage airport in Alaska for more than eight hours, questioned about a power bank in her bag, body-searched by a male police officer, and refused even a phone call, all without filing any charges against her.

Shruti Chaturvedi, founder of the India Action Project and online storytelling website Chaaipani, went on social media platform X to share her experience. In a lengthy post, she alleged racial profiling by the US police and the FBI, saying she was treated with excessive suspicion because of her nationality.

Picture yourself being held by FBI and Police for 8 hours, questioned over the most absurd things, body searched by male officer on tape, stripped of warm clothing, mobile phone, wallet, locked in cold room, not permitted to use a restroom, or place a call, forced to miss your flight – all due to the airport security deeming your powerbank in handbag ‘suspicious’,” Chaturvedi wrote.

“I don’t have to imagine, already through the worst 7 hours. And we all know why,” she further added, tagging External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Ministry of External Affairs.

She alleged that she was not told the reason for her extended detention and claimed that even after being cleared, officials retained her luggage and gave her a “frivolous duffle” bag instead.
“They released me and my friend after 8 hours of rubbish and not getting anything. They still retained the entire luggage bag,” she posted later, continuing, “Outside India, Indians are quite helpless.”

As per the official US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website, portable chargers or power banks with lithium-ion batteries need to be placed in carry-on bags, not in checked bags. Chaturvedi has said her power bank was in the carry-on bag, implying the response was disproportionate.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny by US authorities of foreign travellers, especially in light of an all-around crackdown on illegal immigrants. Indian citizens have lately complained of mistreatment, including being handcuffed during deportations. India is not among the 43 countries recently to be targeted by former President Donald Trump’s proposal for a hardline immigration policy, but neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan are.

Chaturvedi, who had previously posted pictures of her Alaskan vacation—showing a drive along the Dalton Highway, crossing the Arctic Circle, and viewing the Northern Lights—explained that she posted her experience online only after she left the US due to fear of further harassment.

Until now, there has been no word from the Ministry of External Affairs or the US Embassy in India. Until now, Chaturvedi’s words remain heavy: “Especially when you aren’t even allowed to make a phone call to anyone in India.”