Police take charge of Delhi CM’s security, set up two-layer protection

The Delhi police have been tasked with providing security to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, an officer said on Monday, adding that orders have been issued to set up two protection rings comprising nearly 40 personnel around the CM at all times.

Visitors will now have to pass through multiple layers of frisking before being allowed entry to her events, including the “jan sunwayi [public hearing of grievances]” programmes. It was at one such event, at her Civil Lines camp office on August 20, that Ms. Gupta was attacked by a man from Gujarat.

Following the incident, the Union Home Ministry ordered the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to take over the CM’s security. However, the responsibility was transferred back to the police, said a source, adding that the paramilitary force had not taken over the role as it was awaiting the formal order.

“There was a sense that transferring the task of securing the CM to the CRPF would send a wrong message. Questions would have been asked that if the police are not able to secure the CM, how could they ensure the common person’s safety,” said the highly placed source.

As per the latest protocol, two personnel will be stationed in front of Ms. Gupta while several others will be deployed at various spots next to her as part of the inner security circle to maintain a “360-degree vigil”. Those in the outer ring will be responsible for managing public access, frisking and crowd control.

The CM has been accorded ‘Z’ category security by the Union Home Ministry.

Section 61

The police on Monday included Section 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the BNS in the FIR against the two men — Rajeshbhai Khimji and Tahseen Syed — accused of attacking the CM. The police said that the fresh charge was added after their probe revealed evidence suggesting that the assault was part of a planned conspiracy. The suspects have already been booked under BNS Sections 109(1) (attempt to murder) and 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty) in the case registered at the Civil Lines police station.