The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has raised concerns over repeated lapses in security protocol by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his foreign visits, warning that such breaches could put him at “serious risk.”
The force wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, flagging Gandhi’s alleged disregard for mandatory protective measures despite being a Z+ category protectee with an Advance Security Liaison (ASL) team, reported ANI.
In a letter sent directly to Gandhi, the CRPF described the issue as a “serious concern” and urged him to follow security guidelines strictly. Officials told ANI that the force warned any violation of established procedures undermines the effectiveness of VVIP security arrangements.
The Indian Express, citing official sources, reported that the VIP security wing of the paramilitary force had also flagged “unscheduled movements without intimation” during his domestic tours. The sources underlined that such unannounced movements pose a risk to a “high-risk protectee” and reiterated that stipulated guidelines, as laid out in the Yellow Book on VIP security, must be followed at all times.
Under the “Yellow Book” protocol, individuals under high-category security cover are required to give prior intimation of all movements, including foreign travel, so that adequate arrangements can be made. The CRPF alleged that Gandhi had not consistently adhered to this requirement.
An NDTV report cited a letter from CRPF VVIP security chief Sunil June to Kharge, which claimed that Gandhi was not taking his protection “seriously” as he was travelling abroad “without informing anyone.” The letter, according to the channel, listed trips to Italy (30 December–9 January), Vietnam (12–17 March), Dubai (17–23 April), Qatar (11–18 June), London (25 June–6 July) and Malaysia (4–8 September).
The CRPF has reportedly appealed to Gandhi to ensure compliance with the guidelines in future, stressing that lapses could expose him to potential threats.
Rahul Gandhi is provided Z+ category protection, with 10–12 armed CRPF commandos offering proximate cover. As part of the ASL protocol, the force is required to carry out reconnaissance of all venues in advance.
The BJP was quick to seize on the issue. Sharing ANI’s report, the party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya wrote on X, “CRPF flags breach of security protocol by Rahul Gandhi. Under the Yellow Book protocol, individuals under high-category security are required to provide prior intimation about their movements, including foreign travel, to enable deployment. Rahul doesn’t…”
Other BJP leaders went further. National spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged on X, “What exactly is Rahul Gandhi hiding? CRPF’s flagging of breaches in security protocol by Rahul Gandhi during foreign visits is a grave violation. Whose orders is Rahul Gandhi following during these suspicious foreign visits? Rahul Gandhi is dangerous for India’s democracy!”
Congress, however, dismissed the controversy and questioned the motive behind making the letter public. Party leader Pawan Khera suggested it was politically timed. “The timing of the CRPF’s letter and its instant public release raise disturbing questions. It comes just as Rahul Gandhi is leading the charge against the BJP’s Vote Chori carried out with the Election Commission’s complicity. Is this a veiled attempt to intimidate the Leader of Opposition, who has already announced another imminent disclosure? Is the government rattled by the truth he is about to reveal?” he posted on X.
