Centre downgrades Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi's security cover

The Centre on Friday downgraded security of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former president Rahul Gandhi and Sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from elite SPG cover to CRPF Z plus security.
The decision, sources said, was taken after a detailed review by a panel at union home ministry where inputs from SPG, Intelligence Bureau were examined. During the review, the panel recommended downgrading the security cover from SPG to CRPF after it found that the level of threat to the family is not very serious.

As per the rule, the CRPF would coordinate with the state police concerned, the intelligence team, the event organisers and the Public Works Department (PWD) before the visit of Gandhi family.

Earlier, SP cover of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cover was withdrawn, and got protective cover from CRPF commandos in the downgraded Z+ category.

Singh, along with his wife Gursharan Kaur, now have 35 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security cover round-the-clock at his 3, Motilal Nehru Road residence and during their movement across the country.

After a routine assessment of the inputs received from all agencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs in August took the decision to curtail Manmohan Singh's SPG security and provide him a Z+ security cover.