Haryana police withdraws security for 72 after fresh threat review

The Haryana Police have withdrawn security cover for 72 individuals across the state following a fresh threat assessment, leading to the return of 201 Personal Security Officers (PSOs) to active duty.

Officials said until now, 257 people statewide were receiving security based on threat perceptions and extortion-related alerts. The district police reviewed these assessments and recommended withdrawal in several cases.

Among those who lost security cover were leaders of the JJP, including Digvijay Chautala, president of the party’s youth wing.

Breaking down the withdrawals, police said 13 individuals in Faridabad and 13 in Palwal no longer required security, resulting in the withdrawal of 16 and 32 PSOs, respectively. Similarly, 32 personnel were withdrawn from eight individuals in Ambala, 29 from eight in Karnal, 19 from nine in Jhajjar and 12 from six in Gurugram.

Chautala had been provided a gunman earlier this year after an incident in Dabwali, where gunshots were fired at a statue of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala that he had installed in 2024. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang had allegedly claimed responsibility for the firing. Chautala said his gunman was withdrawn on December 10.

Talking to ‘The Tribune’, Chautala alleged political motives behind the move. “The BJP government was rattled and panicked by the JJP's historic rally held in Julana on December 7, which is why the security of JJP leaders was withdrawn. This suggests that the state's DGP is acting not like a public servant but like a dictator,” he said.

He said personal security was not his concern. “I am not worried about my own security; the government should provide security to the common people. I had not requested police protection; rather, the police themselves provided security after an incident,” he said.

Chautala further claimed that the crowd turnout in Julana and Dushyant Chautala’s remarks about the Thar vehicle had unsettled both the BJP leadership and the DGP.

Security has also been withdrawn from Devender Kadian, JJP national secretary; Vinesh Gujjar, former Sohna Assembly candidate; and singer Rahul Fazalpuria, who contested the 2024 Gurugram Lok Sabha seat. Fazalpuria survived a firing incident on July 14 this year; the alleged mastermind, Sunil Sardhania, was arrested on October 26 after being deported from Costa Rica.

A senior Haryana Police source said the latest withdrawal was purely assessment-based. In a post on X, the police said the “assessment will continue to be carried out” and security will be extended to individuals facing a “real threat.”