The Centre has sanctioned ‘Y-plus’ security cover, to be provided by the CRPF, to actor Kangana Ranaut. The decision to grant her central protection was based on a review of her threat perception, home ministry sources said. The ‘Y-plus’ protection for Ranaut – at par with that extended to Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot – comes against the backdrop of threatening statements made by some politicians belonging to the ruling camp in Maharashtra, where she resides and works, in response to her questioning Mumbai police’s handling of the probe into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
Ranaut will now have two CRPF commandos, armed with automatic weapons, protecting her at all times, while one CRPF commando shall be deployed on static duty at her residence. Considering that these personnel will be deployed in shifts, the actor will have a total of 11 CRPF personnel in her security detail. The ‘Y-plus’ protection for her will extend across India.
The actor, who is currently in her native place in Himachal Pradesh but plans to travel to Mumbai on September 9, was quick to thank home minister Amit Shah for extending her central protection. “This is proof that no fascist will be able to crush a patriotic voice, I am thankful to Amit Shah who, given the circumstances, could have advised me to visit Mumbai after a few days. However, he kept honour of the words of a daughter of India and protected my self-respect and pride,” she tweeted.
The central protection is expected to bring Mumbai police under an obligation to provide the necessary logistical support and assistance to CRPF in managing Ranaut’s security detail. Sources indicated that a joint security review by officials of CRPF, intelligence agencies and local police will tie up logistical coordination.
