New Delhi:
BJP general secretary Amit Shah, who piloted the BJP to a spectacular victory in the politically-critical state of Uttar Pradesh in the general elections, has been accorded Z-Plus category security.
The Union Home Ministry, after reviewing the threat perception to the senior BJP leader, a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to add his name to the list of VIPs who have been given Z-Plus security cover. Around 250 people get Z-plus security currently.
The security of 13 other people has also been upgraded today.
A person with Z-Plus security is guarded by 25 commandos. When he or she travels, two cars - one in front and the other behind - with black cat commandos escort the vehicle. These commandos are drawn from the National Security Guards (NSG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Delhi Police.
There is additional security at the VIP's office and residence.
A committee, headed by the Union Home Secretary, periodically reviews the perception of threat to VIPs and recommends security for them.
Mr Shah, 50, is seen as the frontrunner in the race to succeed Rajnath Singh as the BJP's national president. Mr Singh has taken over as the country's home minister and, under party rules, a person cannot hold two posts at the same time.
The other contenders for the BJP president's post are J P Nadda and Om Mathur, both of whom are party general secretaries.
A controversial leader, Mr Shah faces murder charges in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh fake encounter case. He is also being tried by a Mumbai court for his alleged role in the Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter case. A CBI inquiry has given him a clean chit in the Ishrat Jahan murder case.