Shruti Chaturvedi’s Alaska Nightmare: Detained by Police, Stripped of Rights

Indian entrepreneur Shruti Chaturvedi was detained for over eight hours by police and FBI officials at Anchorage Airport, Alaska, after airport security found a power bank in her handbag suspicious. Chaturvedi, the founder of India Action Project and Chaaipani, shared her harrowing experience on X, calling it the “worst” ordeal of her life. She claims that she was questioned extensively by police and the FBI, physically searched by a male officer on camera, stripped of her warm clothing, and denied access to basic human rights like a restroom or even a phone call. Her mobile phone and wallet were seized by airport security, and she was held in a cold interrogation room, ultimately missing her flight.

Stripped, Denied Phone Call as Power Bank Seen 'Suspicious'

According to Chaturvedi, the ordeal began when airport security flagged her power bank as suspicious. What followed was a humiliating experience where she was physically checked by a male officer, stripped of warm wear, and held in a freezing room without access to a phone or washroom. She says the FBI questioning went on for hours and she was not informed why such harsh steps were taken. She missed her scheduled flight and was left shaken by the incident.

Was It Overreaction or Racial Profiling?

The incident has triggered debate online — was this simply airport security overreacting or a case of racial profiling? Many users pointed out that Indian and non-white travellers often face extra scrutiny at US airports. Shruti Chaturvedi’s experience is now being seen as another example of how basic electronics like power banks are treated with extreme suspicion when carried by people of colour. Her case has further highlighted the growing discomfort and lack of trust in airport security systems.

Where is the Accountability?

In her post, Chaturvedi tagged the Ministry of External Affairs and urged them to take note. So far, there has been no official response from the Indian government. Many are now questioning whether India should demand answers from US authorities, especially when an Indian entrepreneur is detained by police and FBI for simply carrying a power bank deemed suspicious. The silence raises another concern — are international travellers safe anymore, and are current security practices fair?

Time to Rethink Airport Security Policies?

This incident adds to a long list of cases where travellers have been detained by airport security and FBI in theUS over what appear to be minor issues. Shruti Chaturvedi’s ordeal is a stark reminder that international travel may not be as safe, respectful, or equal as it should be — especially for Indians and people of colour. As global tensions and policies grow stricter, how many more Shrutis will face the same fear and humiliation — all over a power bank?