The Supreme Court’s intervention in the VIP security issue is beginning to show results. Former Member of Parliament, Sajjan Kumar, seems to be among the first few to be affected.
According to sources in Delhi police, the RAC security personnel, provided for Kumar’s security during trial dates in a city court, have been withdrawn.
‘He was produced in court on Tuesday and will be produced for the next two days. Unlike earlier, when a RAC guard of five personnel would be deputed a night before his arrival to the court, this time we have received orders that his guard should be removed and be used for some other more useful purpose,’ a senior officer posted at security unit of Delhi police said, on the condition of anonymity.
RAC comes under PCR unit of the Delhi police.
However, Kumar continues to enjoy the Z+ category security owing to threats from Sikh groups to his life.
‘The Z+ cover, highest security given to a person, is recommended directly by the Home Ministry. The ministry decides the level of security after assessing inputs from the Intelligence Bureau and other security agencies on the danger to the person’s life,’ the police officials said.
Kumar is facing trial in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in a Delhi court.
The Supreme Court had been extremely vocal about the issue of VIP security and a few days ago had asked the Centre and state governments to give details of expenses incurred on security of public persons except constitutional functionaries.
The apex court had also asked for details of security provided to persons against whom criminal charges are pending. The order came at a time when the nation is debating whether VVIPs are being provided more security that what is needed.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had remarked that police personnel engaged in VIP security can be used for better purposes like making the roads safe for women.
Last week, Delhi government had told the Supreme Court that 8,049 police personnel are deployed for giving protection to VIPs in the national capital at a cost of Rs 341 crore to the exchequer annually.
In an affidavit filed before a bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi, the state government submitted that its total budget for VIP security for the current financial year is Rs 3,41,24,32,000 out of which Rs 38,48,76,000 are to be spent for Rashtrapati Bhawan.
According to sources in Delhi police, the RAC security personnel, provided for Kumar’s security during trial dates in a city court, have been withdrawn.
‘He was produced in court on Tuesday and will be produced for the next two days. Unlike earlier, when a RAC guard of five personnel would be deputed a night before his arrival to the court, this time we have received orders that his guard should be removed and be used for some other more useful purpose,’ a senior officer posted at security unit of Delhi police said, on the condition of anonymity.
RAC comes under PCR unit of the Delhi police.
However, Kumar continues to enjoy the Z+ category security owing to threats from Sikh groups to his life.
‘The Z+ cover, highest security given to a person, is recommended directly by the Home Ministry. The ministry decides the level of security after assessing inputs from the Intelligence Bureau and other security agencies on the danger to the person’s life,’ the police officials said.
Kumar is facing trial in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in a Delhi court.
The Supreme Court had been extremely vocal about the issue of VIP security and a few days ago had asked the Centre and state governments to give details of expenses incurred on security of public persons except constitutional functionaries.
The apex court had also asked for details of security provided to persons against whom criminal charges are pending. The order came at a time when the nation is debating whether VVIPs are being provided more security that what is needed.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had remarked that police personnel engaged in VIP security can be used for better purposes like making the roads safe for women.
Last week, Delhi government had told the Supreme Court that 8,049 police personnel are deployed for giving protection to VIPs in the national capital at a cost of Rs 341 crore to the exchequer annually.
In an affidavit filed before a bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi, the state government submitted that its total budget for VIP security for the current financial year is Rs 3,41,24,32,000 out of which Rs 38,48,76,000 are to be spent for Rashtrapati Bhawan.