Police found loopholes in Wankhede security during IPL,warned BCCI

DCP (zone I) Ravindra Shisve said they concluded after a review that the private security at the Wankhede had many loopholes.

“There were many threat inputs during IPL and since there are thousands of spectators and several VIPs in the stadium,we take stock before every match. This advisory was a way of communicating with BCCI,” he said.

Police told the BCCI chief administrative officer they found security officers of the Board,Mumbai Cricket Association,IPL and Mumbai Indians not performing thorough checks.

Police said after initial checks by ATS,the security was handed over to private guards. For three hours before a match,catering and other support staff — more than 3,000 people — are let in.

Mumbai Police noticed these men were let in without proper checking of identity cards,which is dangerous as anyone (even a terrorist) could enter the stadium.

Police said on April 27,during a match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore,two employees of G4S,a private security agency,acquired ID cards of another security agency to enter the stadium.

G4S did not alert police,which was considered irresponsible and dangerous.

Police also observed security checks and frisking was not done properly at some gates,especially Vinoo Mankad Gate. Security guards,they said,were paying more attention to checking tickets rather than frisking people entering the stadium.

Police said there were many weak spots in the boundary wall of the stadium that could be breached and advised BCCI to take corrective steps.

prashant.nadkar@expressindia.com,

megha.sood@expressindia.com