Atishi's Security Cover To Be Downgraded To 'Y' Category: All You Need To Know

Atishi was provided 'Z' category security after assuming the role of chief minister. The Delhi Police had also downgraded the security cover to Manish Sisodia, AAP MLA Ajay Dutt and Ram Niwas Goel.

File photo of AAP leader Atishi.

Source : એબીપી અસ્મિતા

The Ministry of Home Affairs has downgraded the security of Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Chief Minister Atishi from 'Z' category to 'Y' security.

The development comes after the security unit of the Delhi Police had asked the Home Ministry whether the 'Z-plus' security cover of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal should be continued or scaled down.

The MHA had also separately asked about the 'Z' category cover of former Chief Minister Atishi.

The central security agencies reviewed Atishi's threat perception, which concluded that there was no fresh or significant threat that warranted the continuation of 'Z' category security cover.

A police source told news agency PTI that the directive was issued recently after Delhi Police's security unit sought guidance from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the status of Atishi's security cover. Atishi was provided 'Z' category security after assuming the role of chief minister.

Though the ministry initially advised against making any changes to the security arrangements in place for both Kejriwal and Atishi, it later instructed Delhi Police to scale down Atishi's cover to 'Y' category, the official reportedly said. 

Under the 'Y' category security protocol, Atishi will now be guarded by a team of around 12 personnel, including two commandos from Delhi Police. 

The security downgrade also means the removal of certain privileges, such as the pilot vehicle that accompanied her convoy when Atishi briefly held the chief minister's post.

Last month, the Delhi Police proposed to withdraw the 'Y' category security cover provided to ex-deputy chief minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, AAP MLA Ajay Dutt, and former Delhi Speaker Ram Niwas Goel.

The security arrangement for political leaders is granted or modified based on threat assessments conducted periodically by central intelligence and security agencies on MHA's instructions.

Following the Aam Aadmi Party's defeat in the February 5 Delhi elections, Atishi was elected as the leader of opposition in the Assembly after being chosen as the legislative party leader by the AAP MLAs.