Government Withdraws SPG Cover Of Gandhi Family; Downgraded To Z+ Security As Per Intelligence Agencies Recommendation 

The Centre on Friday (8 November) removed Special Protection Group (SPG) cover of Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, his son Rahul and daughter Priyanka.

They will now be provided 'Z plus' security cover by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The Union government took the decision to withdraw the Gandhi family's Special Protection Group (SPG) cover after a security assessment, a senior official was reported saying.

The government's decision has been conveyed to the Gandhi family.

The SPG security will be withdrawn from their New Delhi residence after the CRPF takes over the responsibility, a Home Ministry official said.

Earlier there were reports about that 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.

A 2012 report on the expenses for SPG security estimated that over 1,800 crore was spend in the preceding 8 years for providing security to a total of 5 member, including 3 members from Gandhi family -- Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, the then Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh and ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

(With Inputs from IANS)