A source within the Delhi Police headquarters revealed that the department’s security unit had conducted an audit a few months ago
The Delhi Police is preparing to approach the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with a list of 18 former Ministers of State (MoS) and 12 former Members of Parliament (MPs) who continue to receive security cover even after completing their terms.
A source within the Delhi Police headquarters revealed that the department’s security unit had conducted an audit a few months ago. The review was prompted by observations that several individuals were still under security cover despite their official roles concluding, and that no recent evaluations of their protection needs had been undertaken.
“After the audit, the security cover of many individuals was removed. However, it was also found that several MoS, MPs, and other individuals continued to retain security cover even after their designated tenures ended,” the source stated.
High-Profile Names Identified
The audit report includes prominent names among former MoS, all of whom currently enjoy Y-category security cover. These include Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Devusinh Chauhan, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Jasvantsinh Bhabhor, John Barla, Kaushal Kishore, Krishna Raj, Manish Tewari, P P Chaudhary, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Rameswar Teli, S S Ahluwalia, Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Som Parkash, Sudarshan Bhagat, V Muraleedharan, former Army chief General V K Singh, and Vijay Goel.
Additionally, the report highlights three former MoS—Ajay Bhatt, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, and Bishweswar Tudu—whose profiles have changed but who still retain Y-category security based on their previous portfolios. As per the audit, these individuals continue to be protected by three Personal Security Officers (PSOs) and four police personnel stationed at their residences.
Procedure & Review
According to standard procedure, the security status of individuals is reviewed once their tenures or official roles end. These reviews consider whether the security was assigned based on the individual’s position or a specific threat. Following the audit, the Delhi Police has sent a recommendation to the MHA for a final decision on whether security should be withdrawn or adjusted.
“The security division of the Delhi Police plans to approach the MHA with the audit findings and seek a definitive call on the matter,” the source added.
Former MPs & Other Protected Persons
The report also lists former MPs still under security cover, including Gautam Gambhir, Abhijit Mukherjee, Dr Karan Singh, Maulana Mahmood Madani, Naba Kumar Sarania, Ram Shankar Katheria, Ajay Maken (now a Rajya Sabha member), K C Tyagi, Parvesh Verma, Rakesh Sinha, Ramesh Bidhuri, and Vijay Inder Singla.
Other notable figures include former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Deep Malhotra, former Aam Aadmi Party MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam, former Enforcement Directorate Director Karnail Singh, former Delhi Police Commissioner S N Srivastava, former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, and ex-MLA V K Malhotra.
Next Steps
The audit findings underline the need for an updated and streamlined approach to security allocation. “The data highlights the importance of timely security reviews to ensure resources are allocated based on current requirements rather than legacy arrangements,” the source noted.
The final decision now rests with the MHA, which will assess the findings and determine the future course of action regarding the security cover provided to the individuals listed in the report.
