The Bihar government withdrew Z-plus security cover for former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi on June 5, 2024 [3, 4].
This decision marks a significant reduction in the protection levels for one of the state's most prominent political families. The move follows a state-wide review of VIP protection arrangements to determine the necessity of high-level security details [1, 2, 4].
In addition to the former chief ministers, the government also withdrew Y-category security for their son, Tej Pratap Yadav [2]. The state has replaced these specific security tiers with protection provided by the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) [1, 5].
Security personnel had previously been stationed at the residence of the former chief ministers in Patna [1, 3]. The transition to BSAP personnel ensures that the family maintains a level of protection while removing the specialized Z-plus and Y-category designations [1, 5].
Officials said the changes were the result of the comprehensive security review [2, 4]. The review process examined the threat levels and requirements for various VIPs across the region to optimize the allocation of police resources [2].
Z-plus security is one of the highest levels of protection provided to individuals facing severe security threats. The shift to the Special Armed Police represents a move from a specialized, high-alert detail to a more standardized state police presence [1, 5].
“The Bihar government withdrew Z-plus security cover for former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi.”
The downgrade of security for the Yadav family suggests a shift in the state government's assessment of the immediate threats facing these former leaders. By replacing specialized Z-plus and Y-category covers with the Bihar Special Armed Police, the administration is streamlining VIP protection and potentially reducing the high costs and manpower associated with the state's most elite security tiers.
