Kolkata: Former India cricket captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has had his security cover downgraded from Z to Y category following a recent security review by the West Bengal government. This decision reduces the number of personnel in his security team from approximately eight to ten police officers to three to four personnel, including two armed officers.
Ganguly currently serves as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). He was granted Z-category security in May 2023 by the then state government, which also included additional security for his residence. However, police sources indicate that the number of personnel assigned to his protection had been gradually reduced in recent months, even though the category remained unchanged on paper.
Prior to the 2023 upgrade, Ganguly had been receiving Y-category security. The latest decision is part of the government's policy of periodically reviewing security cover based on threat perception rather than an individual's status or public profile.
Background of Security Categories
Security categories in India are classified based on threat assessment. Z-category security typically involves a larger team of armed guards, while Y-category provides a lower level of protection. The downgrade reflects a reassessment of the threat level to Ganguly.
Government's Stance
The state government maintains that security reviews are routine and based solely on intelligence inputs. A senior official stated, "The decision is not influenced by personal status but by the current threat perception."
The move has sparked discussions among political and sports circles, though no official statement has been released by Ganguly or his family.
