The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the Delhi Police to withdraw protection from 19 former Ministers of State (MoS) who continue to receive it despite the end of their tenure, The Indian Express has learnt. However, the Centre has also instructed that BJP leader and former Union Minister Smriti Irani’s security be extended by six months.
As first reported by The Indian Express on January 2, the Delhi Police had approached MHA with a list of former MoSes and Members of Parliament who have security cover even after completion of their tenure/term. This was done after an audit conducted by the Delhi Police’s security unit last year.
“The audit revealed that several senior politicians were still availing security cover even after their terms had ended. In many cases, a security review had not been carried out for a long time,” the official said. Following the audit, security cover for several individuals was withdrawn. However, the review found that many former MoS were still receiving protection despite no longer holding office.
A list of such individuals was sent to MHA, the official said. Those named in the communication, all with Y-category security cover, include former MoS in Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, former Minister of Panchayati Raj Birender Singh, former MoS for Communications Devusinh Jesingbhai Chauhan, former MoS for Tribal Affairs Jasvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor and former MoS for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, among others (see full list below).
“In addition to the MoSes, the MHA list also included names of some Members of Parliament and senior judges. However, the security cover for certain judges has been retained,” the official added.
Under existing rules, the security cover provided on a positional or threat basis is to be reviewed upon completion of an individual’s tenure. “It was found that these reviews had not been conducted for a long time. After completing the assessment, Delhi Police sent its recommendations to the MHA in December last year. The final decision from the MHA came a few weeks ago,” the official said.
The official further noted that, as per rules, former MoSs currently continue to have three Personal Security Officers (PSOs) and four police personnel stationed at their residences. “The names of former Army chief General V. K. Singh and MoS Ajay Bhatt were also sent to the MHA, but their security has been retained. Additionally, the MHA has extended Smriti Irani’s security cover for another six months,” the official added.
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The level of security provided to any individual is determined by the MHA based on inputs from intelligence agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (R\&AW). Certain individuals are entitled to security cover by virtue of the positions they hold in government.
Full list of former Ministers of State (MoSes) who have lost their security cover:
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