Why Sourav Ganguly Lost Z Security Cover: Bengal Govt Downgrades Protection tTo Y Category

The West Bengal government has scaled down the security cover of former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, reducing his protection from Z category to Y category following a fresh security review. The move marks a significant change in the security arrangement around one of the state's most recognisable public figures, who had been enjoying Z-category protection in recent years.

The decision comes after authorities reassessed the threat perception surrounding Ganguly, a standard procedure followed for individuals receiving state-provided security cover. While Ganguly will continue to receive police protection under the Y-category arrangement, the level of deployment around him will be lower than under the previous system.

Security Downgrade Follows Periodic Review

Security cover provided to high-profile individuals is periodically reviewed by government agencies based on intelligence inputs, threat assessments and prevailing circumstances. Officials conduct these evaluations to determine whether an individual requires enhanced protection, continued security at the same level, or a reduction in personnel.

In Ganguly's case, the latest review resulted in the withdrawal of Z-category protection and a return to Y-category security. Authorities have not publicly indicated any specific threat concerns behind the revision, suggesting that the decision was taken as part of the routine assessment process.

A Contrast to the Earlier Upgrade

The downgrade is particularly notable because the West Bengal government had previously moved in the opposite direction.

In 2023, after the tenure of Ganguly's Y-category security cover expired, state authorities reviewed his protection requirements and decided to elevate him to Z category. At the time, officials said the enhanced arrangement would place around eight to ten police personnel in his security detail.

Before that upgrade, Ganguly had been protected under the Y-category system, which included Special Branch personnel as well as police deployment around his Behala residence in Kolkata.

The decision to increase his security then reflected the state's assessment that a higher level of protection was warranted. The latest downgrade indicates that authorities now believe the previous level of deployment is no longer necessary.

What Do Z and Y Security Categories Mean?

Security categories in India are assigned based on threat perception and determine the number of personnel deployed for an individual's protection.

Z-category security is among the higher levels of state protection and typically involves a larger contingent of trained security personnel accompanying the protectee and guarding key locations associated with them.

Y-category security offers continued protection but with a smaller security detail. Individuals under this category still receive dedicated security personnel, though the overall deployment is lower than under the Z arrangement.

One of Bengal's Most High-Profile Public Figures

Even after stepping away from active cricket, Ganguly remains one of West Bengal's most influential sporting personalities. Apart from serving as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), he currently heads the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and continues to be a prominent public figure with frequent appearances at sporting, business and public events.

The latest decision does not remove security protection altogether but recalibrates it in line with the state's current assessment. The move highlights how security arrangements for high-profile personalities can change over time depending on evolving threat evaluations and official reviews.