Gujarat’s Home Department has withdrawn the security provided to around 20 former MLAs, including former ministers. This decision was made after a review by the State Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the department.
According to IB sources, the security of 20 former MLAs has been withdrawn. Some of these MLAs had voluntarily requested the withdrawal of their security, while others had their security withdrawn after a review.
Sources indicate that the decision was made based on the IB report. For instance, Kutiyana MLA Kandhal Jadeja’s commando security has been replaced with district security, former minister Saurabh Patel’s security has been withdrawn, and one of the two commandos assigned to former chief minister Suresh Mehta has been removed.
Security has also been withdrawn for former MLAs who have not received any threats in the past five years and are not active.
MLAs, VIPs, and ministers are provided security by the Gandhinagar Security Department or district police as per protocol. This security includes armed police guards or SRPF security guards.
The last review meeting on February 26, 2023, resulted in the decision to withdraw security for 24 former ministers, including 14 former MLAs from the Bhupendra Patel government and 10 ministers from the Vijay Rupani government.