YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is likely to receive Z+ category security, in addition to his current state police protection, if the Andhra Pradesh High Court grants his request following a petition citing increased threat perception.
The High Court has directed both the central government and the state police to file counter-affidavits in response to Jagan's plea seeking Z+ security, preferably provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) or the National Security Guard (NSG).
Currently, Telugu Desam Party president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is the only VIP in the state receiving Z+ security from the Centre, which includes Black Cat commandos.
A bench headed by Justice S Subba Reddy issued notices to the Union Home Secretary, Directors of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), CRPF, and NSG, as well as the Principal Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh State Home Department.
Jagan’s counsel, Y Nagireddy, argued that the state government was failing to provide adequate protection despite the elevated threat. Deputy Solicitor General Pasala Ponnarao, representing the Centre, sought additional time to file a detailed response.
Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas, representing the state, noted that a similar petition had already been filed earlier — naming the central government as the respondent — and that matter is still pending.
After hearing both sides, the judge adjourned further proceedings until after the court’s summer recess.
