YSR Congress party president and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday filed a writ petition in the state high court, seeking restoration of security cover that was available to him when he was the chief minister before June 3, 2024.
In his petition, Jagan emphasized the importance of the security cover that was provided to him during his tenure as chief minister, highlighting that it was crucial for his safety given the sensitive nature of his position and the ongoing political environment.
“The reduction in his security personnel and cover has raised significant concerns about his safety,” he said.
The YSRCP president said surprisingly within a month after announcement of general elections results on June 4, 2024, his security was reduced to 59 and that too without any intimation to him.
“No notice was sent regarding the reduction of security in violation of all principles of natural justice,” he said.
He pointed out that there is no lawful justification for downgrading of security limited to the following personnel, as on today.
“While the category of protection has not been downgraded from the highest protection category of Z+, the number of personnel around him has been reduced drastically,” he said.
Jagan submitted to the court that though the number of the security provided to him sounds like a lot of personnel, in reality, only two personal security officers guard him at any given point of time.
He said even prior to him becoming the chief minister, he was provided with high security keeping in view of the political situation in the state. After he became the Chief Minister in the year, 2019 and he was provided with Z+ security comprising 139 security personnel around him.
The security cover for Jagan, when he was the chief minister, comprised 6+24 (30) Armed static guard at residence, three teams each of 1+4 (5) PSOs at a time round the clock (5x3 teams = 15), three teams, each with six personnel of PSOs at a time round the clock for office and home protection, one team of six personnel of CAT (Counter Assault Team) from OCTOPUS wing of the State Government, two escorts each comprising 12 members, two watchers in two shifts and 1 at night (2x2), two Chief Security Officers in the Rank of Addl SP's, two frisker and screener staff in three shifts, two trained screeners in three shifts (2x3), five trained drivers in three shifts round the clock (5x3).
So, Jagan wants restoration of these total number of 139 police personnel for his protection!
