The Central Reserve Police Force has formally accused Rahul Gandhi of breaking security protocols during both his domestic and overseas travels, sparking sharp public exchanges between the Congress party and the BJP.
According to a letter sent to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the CRPF’s VIP security division flagged “unscheduled movements without intimation” by Gandhi, asserting these actions violate norms under the CRPF’s “Yellow Book” of VIP security guidelines and pose risks to his ASL Z-plus protection. The communication claims that since 2020, Gandhi has committed 113 such violations, including during the Delhi leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The CRPF named several foreign trips in the letter—including visits to Italy, Vietnam, Dubai, Qatar, London, and Malaysia—as instances where Gandhi allegedly failed to provide advance notice of movements. It emphasised that under the Advanced Security Liaison framework, early reconnaissance and coordination are required from protectee and their staff.
Congress has questioned the timing of the CRPF’s letter and the manner in which it was released. Pawan Khera, the party’s media spokesperson, said the communication’s public disclosure was troubling, given that Gandhi has been accusing the ruling BJP and the Election Commission of “vote theft.” He asked whether the move was intended to intimidate Gandhi ahead of disclosures he has said are forthcoming.
The BJP responded by urging Gandhi and Kharge to treat the matter seriously. Anurag Thakur, BJP MP, criticised Gandhi for being negligent about his security responsibilities, especially overseas, saying that as a senior political figure he should adhere strictly to prescribed protocols.
Within the CRPF, the VIP security wing reports that about 10-12 commandos accompany Gandhi whenever he is mobile under ASL cover. The protocol requires that details of places to be visited are communicated to the security force in advance so that threat assessment and preparatory security arrangements are possible. The CRPF asserts that many of Gandhi’s movements—both at home and abroad—have lacked such intimation, complicating risk mitigation.
Gandhi and Congress leaders have so far not issued detailed rebuttals addressing specific incidents cited in the letter, such as names of dates and locations, or explaining why intimation may not have been possible or whether prior communications were made. There has been no formal statement confirming or denying all those alleged 113 instances.
Security experts consulted on similar matters say that the effectiveness of advanced protection hinges on strict adherence to protocol. Unannounced changes in itinerary or insufficient coordination can severely limit threat assessment. Some analysts also warn that publicising such internal communications might deter open flows of information between protectees and agencies, or could be used politically.
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