Delhi CM Rekha Gupta gets ‘Z’ category security under MHA protocols

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has been accorded ‘Z’ category security by the Delhi Police, sources said on Thursday. The enhanced security cover, typically granted to high-profile political figures, will include approximately 22 personnel comprising personal security officers (PSOs), escorts, surveillance staff, and around eight static armed guards.

The security upgrade follows the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs outlined in the ‘Yellow Book,’ which details protection protocols for VIPs and VVIPs. Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was also provided ‘Z’ category security during her tenure, police sources confirmed.

Gupta, a BJP debutant legislator, was sworn in as Delhi’s chief minister on Thursday in a grand oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila Ground. The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP’s top leadership, and NDA chief ministers, marked the party’s return to power in the capital after 26 years.

Along with Gupta, several other BJP leaders, including Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Ravinder Indraj Singh, and Pankaj Singh, took the oath of office. Lt Governor V K Saxena administered the swearing-in.

The 50-year-old MLA from Shalimar Bagh is Delhi’s fourth woman chief minister and the only woman in the NDA team of CMs. Following the ceremony, she and her ministers were set to assume charge at the Delhi Secretariat.

Among the prominent attendees were chief ministers from BJP-ruled and NDA-allied states, including Maharashtra’s Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu, Goa’s Pramod Sawant, Haryana’s Nayab Singh Saini, and Meghalaya’s Conrad Sangma. Deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak from Uttar Pradesh, along with Andhra Pradesh’s Pawan Kalyan, were also present.

(With inputs from PTI)