Indian Entrepreneur Alleges Misconduct by U.S. Authorities Over 'Suspicious' Power Bank at Alaska Airport
Anchorage, Alaska | April 9, 2025 — Indian entrepreneur Shruti Chaturvedi has alleged that she was detained for nearly eight hours by U.S. police and the FBI at Anchorage Airport, Alaska, after airport security flagged a power bank in her luggage as “suspicious.”
Taking to social media, Chaturvedi detailed a harrowing experience, claiming that she was subjected to invasive questioning, denied basic amenities, and physically searched by a male officer on camera. She described being kept in an extremely cold room, stripped of her warm clothing, and not allowed to use the restroom or make any phone calls during the entire period of detention.
“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 power bank in handbag ‘suspicious,’” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Chaturvedi claimed that her mobile phone and wallet were confiscated, and she ultimately missed her flight due to the prolonged detention. She also raised concerns about the appropriateness of the search procedure, particularly the involvement of a male officer.
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
The incident reportedly occurred at Anchorage Airport, where she was returning after a vacation in Alaska. Chaturvedi had earlier posted scenic photos of her trip, including images of the Northern Lights, a snow-covered waterfall, and her journey across the Arctic Circle.
Seeking intervention, Chaturvedi tagged Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in her post, urging the Indian government to take up the matter.
There has been no official response yet from the U.S. authorities or Anchorage Airport officials regarding the incident.
