Indian Entrepreneur Shruti Chaturvedi Detained, Strip-Searched at US Airport Over ‘Suspicious’ Power Bank

Founder of Chaaipani alleges mistreatment by police and FBI at Anchorage Airport; says she was stripped, denied phone call and restroom access, and checked by male officer.

April 8, 2025: Indian entrepreneur Shruti Chaturvedi, founder of India Action Project and Chaaipani, took to social media to recount a harrowing experience at Anchorage Airport in Alaska, where she was detained for over eight hours after US airport security found a power bank in her bag “suspicious.”

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In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Chaturvedi described the ordeal as her “worst experience” at an airport, alleging that she was:

• Stripped of her warm clothing
• Physically checked by a male officer
• Questioned by police and the FBI
• Denied a phone call and access to a restroom
• Kept in a cold room without basic rights
• Forced to miss her connecting flight

“Imagine being detained by Police and FBI for 8 hours… physically checked by a male officer on camera… not allowed to use a restroom, or make a single phone call… all because airport security found your power bank in handbag ‘suspicious,’” she wrote.

Chaturvedi also noted her mobile phone and wallet were confiscated, making her feel completely cut off. “We all know why,” she added, implying racial or ethnic profiling may have been a factor. She tagged India’s Ministry of External Affairs in her post, seeking official attention.

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Broader Context:

Chaturvedi’s experience adds to a growing list of incidents involving increased scrutiny and harsh treatment of international travelers under the Trump administration’s tightening of immigration and airport security policies.

Recent months have seen several countries, including Germany and Canada, updating travel advisories to the US, warning their citizens about potential detentions and unexpected questioning at entry points.

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Reactions Pour In:

The entrepreneur’s post triggered a wave of support and outrage online, with many demanding answers from US authorities and support from Indian diplomatic channels. Several commenters also highlighted the lack of sensitivity in airport protocols, especially when it involves female travelers being searched by male officers.

As of now, US airport authorities have not responded to Chaturvedi’s allegations.

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Tags:

Shruti Chaturvedi, US airport detention, Indian entrepreneur, Anchorage airport, power bank airport check, strip search, FBI questioning, racial profiling, Trump immigration policy, travel advisories US, Ministry of External Affairs India, airport harassment, Chaaipani, India Action Project, Indian detained in US