• The Ministry also told the court the threat “should predominantly come from militants or terrorists”, and conceded that “in public perception, VIP security had tended to connote a picture more of a VIP than security. Often protectees were themselves found to entertain such perception and demand special privileges.”

The court, which termed VVIP security “distasteful, obtrusive and obnoxious for the common people”, had directed the Ministry to inform it of steps taken in cases where security threats had been “overplayed”, if there were instances of security being downgraded. The response of the Ministry, which says it is in the process of a comprehensive review of VIP security, is still awaited.

In the meantime, police forces have begun complaining. A look at some figures could show why. The Capital has 391 VVIP and VIP protectees. And over 9,000 personnel, mainly from Delhi Police, supplemented by hundreds of paramilitary personnel drawn from forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), provide what’s being increasingly seen as a status symbol for many.

Figures with the Delhi Police show that of the nearly 60,000 personnel at its disposal, over 7,000 are deployed for VIP security. “Even Police Control Room vans are positioned in such a manner that VIP houses are accessible at all times,” an officer admitted.

Official sources said just a single paramilitary force, the CRPF, has had to deploy nearly 1,000 men for “house security” of 132 VIPs in the capital. This does not include the 195 deployed to secure the houses of 14 VVIPs, who enjoy a higher level of security.

... contd.