Gandhi Family May Soon Lose SPG Cover As Intelligence Agencies Recommend Downgrade Over Low Threat

The Gandhi family comprising of Rahul, Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi may soon lose their Special Protection Group (SPG) cover as intelligence agencies after making a threat assessment have concluded that a Z+ security should suffice for the trio, Sunday Guardian has reported.

The final call over the withdrawal of the SPG status would rest with the Central government. Currently apart from the Gandhis, only Prime Minister Narendra Modi is accorded a SPG cover.

The Z+ category security is being extended to individuals including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and senior leaders L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. A “Z special” category security has been extended to Home Minister Amit Shah.

The central government had recently issued a circular to the tune that the SPG troops would also accompany the Gandhis on their foreign tours, with the latter having to furnish all their trip details to the security personnel.

Earlier the SPG commandos used to drop the Gandhis abroad and return back. As per rules the SPG protection is accorded to current and former prime ministers along with their families.