Published 12:33 IST, October 7th 2019
SPG to provide security cover to Gandhi family on all foreign trips
The Centre has issued fresh guidelines for SPG protection cover accorded to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
The Centre has issued fresh guidelines for the Special Protection Group (SPG) cover accorded to the Gandhi family, including Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Citing 'security' concerns, the Centre has made it compulsory for the SPG personnel to accompany the Gandhis in their private foreign trips also. As per reports, the Gandhis have been informed about the development. However, if they choose to unaccept the SPG security during their foreign trips, their visits could be cut short or curtailed by the MHA.
As of now, the SPG security has been allotted to Congress’ interim chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Before the modifications, the SPG guards would be with the Gandhis till the first destination of their trips. Later on, the SPG personnel were sent back by the Gandhi family members over privacy matters. With the new guidelines in the SPG Act, the security will accompany the Gandhis throughout their foreign visits and the Gandhis will have to submit the details of their trips to the SPG.
What is SPG cover?
With over 3,000 personnel, the Special Protection Group covers Prime Ministers as well as former Prime Ministers and their families. The SPG was set up in 1985 specifically for the security of prime ministers after the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi by her security guards. Later, after the assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, the SPG Act was amended to provide security to former PMs and their families for 10 years. In 2003, the Vajpayee government amended the law again to bring down the automatic protection for 10 years to one year - or more depending on the level of threat as decided by the centre.
Recently in August, the Modi 2.0 government withdrew the SPG protection given to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh. He was later given Z+ security cover security instead of SPG.
Rahul Gandhi in Bangkok?
As per sources, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has flown to Bangkok amid the ongoing crisis in the Grand Old Party ahead of the assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra. According to sources, Gandhi scion had boarded on October 5 at 8:25 PM flight from Delhi to Bangkok. However, the reason for Rahul Gandhi's Bangkok visit was not known.
Updated 13:28 IST, October 7th 2019