In a deeply disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across social media, Indian entrepreneur Shruti Chaturvedi shared her traumatic experience of being detained, stripped of warm clothing, and physically searched by a male officer at Anchorage Airport in Alaska, United States.
Shruti, the founder of Chaaipani and Indian Action Project, took to the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to narrate her horrifying ordeal that lasted over eight hours—all allegedly triggered by a power bank found in her handbag.
“Stripped, Isolated and Denied Basic Rights”
In her now-viral post, Chaturvedi wrote:
“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 powerbank in handbag ‘suspicious’.”
The post drew immediate outrage from thousands of users online, with many demanding accountability from US authorities for the alleged mistreatment and racial profiling.
Allegations of Racial Profiling
While Shruti did not explicitly use the term “racial profiling,” she strongly implied it in her follow-up comments. She mentioned:
“I don’t have to imagine, already past the worst 7 hours. And we all know why.”
This has been widely interpreted as a reference to discriminatory treatment based on her Indian ethnicity and appearance.
Denied Restroom and Phone Access
What adds to the horror of the experience is that Shruti claims she was:
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Denied restroom access
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Stripped of her winter clothes
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Kept in a freezing room
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Denied the right to make even a single phone call
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Separated from her phone, wallet, and other belongings
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Physically searched by a male officer—while being filmed
She was also interrogated by FBI officials, despite the cause of suspicion reportedly being nothing more than a portable power bank.
Missed Flight, No Contact with Family
Due to the prolonged detainment, Shruti missed her connecting flight and, perhaps more distressingly, was not allowed to inform her family or anyone else about what she was going through. For hours, she was cut off from the outside world, stranded in a foreign country, with no way to reach out for help or legal support.
Social Media Uproar
Her post quickly gained traction on social media, with thousands expressing sympathy, anger, and deep concern. Many questioned:
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Why such extreme measures were taken for a power bank
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Why a female traveler was allegedly physically searched by a male officer
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Why she was denied basic human rights like warmth, privacy, restrooms, and communication
The incident has reignited conversations around the treatment of Indian passport holders abroad and how racial stereotypes may be playing a role in security practices, even in so-called “routine” screenings.
Not Just About a Power Bank
This is not just a story about airport security or a battery-powered device. It is a human rights issue. Subjecting a woman to physical checks by a male officer, stripping her of her warm clothing in freezing conditions, and isolating her without legal access or communication raises serious questions about standard protocols and the limits of authority.
These actions go well beyond standard airport security measures and reflect a deep misuse of power, especially when executed without proper cause or procedure.
Indian Travellers Abroad: A Growing Concern
Shruti’s case has become a chilling example of what can happen to Indian travelers abroad—even educated professionals with clean records and valid visas. It raises a critical question:
Are Indian travellers, especially women, being treated with less respect and more suspicion?
Social media users have begun sharing their own troubling experiences, painting a broader picture of profiling, humiliation, and harassment in foreign airports.
What Needs to Change
This incident calls for:
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Immediate clarification and investigation from US airport and federal authorities
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Consular intervention to ensure Indian citizens abroad are protected
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Stricter international standards on how travelers are treated during security checks
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Training for airport security staff on racial sensitivity, gender rights, and lawful conduct
A Wake-Up Call for Global Travel Norms
The trauma endured by Shruti Chaturvedi is not just a personal story—it’s a wake-up call for both governments and civil aviation bodies. Travelers should not have to fear racial profiling, gender-based violations, or authoritative overreach while passing through airport security.
At a time when the world talks about inclusivity and human rights, ensuring dignity and respect for all travellers—regardless of nationality—should be the bare minimum.