Hyderabad: In a significant move aimed at rationalising VIP security, the Telangana government has withdrawn bulletproof vehicles allotted to around 20 former and serving Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including several former Directors General of Police (DGPs), following a comprehensive review of threat perception conducted by the State Intelligence Department.
The exercise is part of a broader review of security arrangements for more than 100 prominent individuals, including retired senior police officers, former top bureaucrats and political leaders, with the government seeking to provide security strictly on the basis of assessed threats.
Security Review Based on Intelligence Inputs
According to official sources, the decision was taken after the State Intelligence Department reassessed the security needs of various protectees.
The review reportedly considered the significant improvement in the law and order situation in Telangana, including the near eradication of Maoist activity in the state, prompting the government to reassess the continued need for enhanced security measures such as bulletproof vehicles, escort vehicles and multiple armed guards.
Apart from withdrawing bulletproof vehicles, the government has also discontinued escort vehicles that were earlier provided to several former DGPs.
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R.S. Praveen Kumar Moves High Court
Among the first to be affected was former IPS officer and BRS leader R.S. Praveen Kumar, whose bulletproof vehicle was recently withdrawn after nearly two decades of security cover.
Praveen Kumar subsequently approached the Telangana High Court challenging the government’s decision. The High Court has since granted an interim stay on the withdrawal, providing temporary relief while the matter remains under judicial consideration.
Former DGPs Among Officers Affected
Several retired police chiefs are among those whose bulletproof vehicles have reportedly been withdrawn.
They include former DGPs:
- Swaranjit Sen
- A.K. Khan
- A.K. Mahanty
- Dinesh Reddy
- Jitender
- Mahender Reddy
- Anurag Sharma
In addition, several former and serving IPS officers have also been affected by the security review.
These include:
- Poorna Chandra Rao
- K. Srinivas Reddy
- Naveen Chand
- Daniel
- Venkatrami Reddy
- Stephen Ravindra
- R.S. Praveen Kumar
- D.T. Nayak
- Umesh Sharif
- Ravi Gupta
- Intelligence Chief Vijay Kumar
Officials indicated that the list could be revised further as the security review progresses.
Review Covers More Than 100 VIPs
Sources said the Telangana government has initiated a large-scale review of security arrangements provided to over 100 VIPs, including retired IPS officers, former DGPs, senior officials and political personalities.
The objective is to ensure that government resources are deployed based on current threat assessments rather than historical security entitlements.
Authorities have also begun reviewing the deployment of personal security officers (PSOs) and armed escorts provided to various protectees.
Gunmen Strength Reduced
As part of the ongoing rationalisation exercise, the number of gunmen assigned to several political leaders and senior police officers has also been reduced.
In many cases, the security cover has reportedly been scaled down to a 1+1 deployment, replacing larger security details that had continued for years.
Officials maintained that the security review is a routine administrative exercise intended to align security deployment with present-day threat perceptions while ensuring optimal utilisation of police resources.
Security Rationalisation Amid Changing Threat Landscape
Government sources said the review reflects Telangana’s improved internal security environment and changing threat profile.
With Maoist influence having significantly declined in the state, the Intelligence Department has recommended withdrawing or reducing enhanced security measures wherever the assessed threat no longer justifies such deployment.
The review is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with further decisions likely after intelligence agencies complete assessments of the remaining VIP protectees.
