Recently, the spotlight has shined on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for providing Y-plus category Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security to a renowned actress—a privilege usually reserved for highly significant government officials or notable figures in civil society. This occurrence has triggered a discussion about the opacity and accountability of the security cover known informally as “VIP security” and the potential manipulations of its provisions.
VIP Security: A Closer Look
VIP security is not extended to anyone casually. Predominantly, it is given to individuals with substantial influence within governmental bodies or civil society. Several key figures have an automatic entitlement to security coverage, including the Prime Minister and his immediate family, the Home Minister, and officials such as the National Security Advisor. In cases where others are provided security, the MHA decides the necessary level based on confidential inputs from intelligence agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
Concerns about Accountability and Confidentiality
This security provision system has raised concerns due to the lack of accountability. Indian intelligence agencies do not answer to any statutory body and only subject to the internal oversight of the MHA and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The absence of transparency in their functioning and the lack of accountability except to the government in power implies that VIP security is susceptible to executive manipulation. Some allege that several protectees are under security cover purely for political or “prestige” reasons rather than genuine threats.
Levels of Protection
There are six broad categories of security cover: X, Y, Y-plus, Z, Z-plus, and the Special Protection Group (SPG). While the SPG is exclusive to the Prime Minister and his immediate family, the other protection categories can extend to anyone perceived to face a threat. Various kinds of security cover exist within these levels, such as security for the residence, mobile security, office security, and inter-state security. The number of personnel guarding the protectee varies from category to category, with the X category being the most basic level of protection and Z-plus category protectees being provided with 10 security personnel for mobile security.
Involvement of Different Forces
Security provision involves different state and central forces. Residence security is generally provided by state police, whereas mobile security comes under the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)—a group of forces designated for internal security, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and others. For VIPs who are not the Prime Minister, the government typically mandates the National Security Guard (NSG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), or the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide security cover.
Payment for Protection
When the government provides security after an assessment by intelligence agencies, recipients often do not pay. However, those with elaborate security covers like in the Z and Z-plus categories might have to accommodate security personnel on their own. Conversely, private individuals requesting security, even when there’s a perceived threat, may be charged for their security cover if they don’t significantly influence the government or civil society.
