NEW DELHI, APRIL 18 — The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has accorded Z category security cover to Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha within the jurisdictions of Delhi and Punjab. This federal intervention comes only 24 hours after the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab moved to withdraw the legislator’s previous Z-plus security arrangements.
According to official orders issued by the Union ministry of home affairs, the decision was taken after a review of Chadha’s security arrangements in consultation with central security agencies. While the enhanced protection applies to the capital and Punjab, the Ministry stated that Chadha will continue to receive Y category security in the rest of the country.
The security upgrade includes a detail of 22 personnel, including commandos from the National Security Guards or Central Reserve Police Force, and the provision of bullet-resistant vehicles. The Ministry has sent formal communications to the Delhi Police and the Chief Secretary of Punjab, directing them to implement the Z category protocols immediately.
The shift in security status follows internal party changes where Chadha was replaced as the deputy leader of the AAP in the Rajya Sabha by Ashok Mittal. Coinciding with these changes, the Enforcement Directorate recently conducted raids on business establishments associated with Mittal’s Lovely Group. Sources within the party maintained that leadership has attributed the federal scrutiny of Mittal’s businesses to Chadha’s tenure.
