The West Bengal government has downgraded the security cover for former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly from Z-category to Y-category [1].
This adjustment reflects the government's current assessment of the risks facing the former BCCI president in Kolkata. Because security tiers in India are tied to specific threat levels, the move signals a perceived decrease in the immediate danger to the sports icon.
The change involves a significant reduction in the number of personnel assigned to Ganguly's protection. His guard detail has been cut from approximately eight to 10 police officers down to three or four personnel [2].
Officials said the decision was part of an ongoing routine exercise to review security covers for prominent personalities [1]. These reviews rely on updated threat assessments to ensure police resources are allocated based on actual risk [3].
Ganguly remains one of the most recognized figures in West Bengal. The shift to Y-category security means he will continue to have protection, but with a smaller footprint than the Z-category level he previously maintained [1].
“The government downgraded Ganguly’s security cover from Z-category to Y-category”
The reduction in security for a high-profile figure like Sourav Ganguly indicates a shift in the state's threat perception. By moving him to Y-category, the government is balancing the need for personal protection with the efficient distribution of limited police resources, suggesting that current intelligence does not justify the higher costs and manpower of Z-category security.
