MHA downgrades security cover for former NIA chief Dinkar Gupta

A source said the Central intelligence and security agencies recently carried out a threat assessment. “During their assessment, they have found that there was a threat to Gupta due to his work profile in the National Investigation Agency and the Punjab Police against pro-Khalistan elements and supporters. But he retired from his post on July 31, 2024, and now there was no such threat to him,” the source said.

After conducting the assessment, they did not find any latest threat, and it was conveyed to the authorities concerned. “It was later decided to downgrade his security cover. Now, Gupta will have Y-category security cover, which comprises at least 12 security personnel, including two commandos,” the source added.

Explaining the security cover system, an officer said there are largely six types of security cover: X, Y, Y plus, Z, Z plus, and Special Protection Group (SPG). While SPG is meant only for the Prime Minister and his immediate family, other protection categories can be provided to anyone whom the Centre or state governments have information about a threat.

A 1987-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Punjab cadre, Gupta served as the NIA chief for almost two years and remained in other key posts, including Punjab DGP, from February 2019 to October 2021. Before he was appointed as the state police chief, he served as DGP (Intelligence).

A distinguished officer, who served in Punjab during the peak of militancy, Gupta successfully mapped and busted the narco-terrorism network in the state, besides dealing with gangsters. It was under his watch that the Punjab Police extradited two of them. He was also the first to highlight the threat posed by drones from across the border.

Gupta took over as the state police chief in February 2019, superseding five officers, two of whom fought a long and unsuccessful legal battle against him.

Known as a thinking man’s police officer with a keen insight into terror operations from across the border, Gupta was a Visiting Professor (2000-01) at the George Washington University, Washington DC, and American University, where he designed a course Governments under Siege: Understanding Terrorism and Terrorists’ in January-May 2001.