Lax Mumbai police security upsets Union government

Mumbai: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), entrusted with the security of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will write to the Mumbai police department over the apparent lapse in security screening around the residence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during Shah’s recent visit. A 32-year-old Dhule businessman Hemant Pawar was able to infiltrate the three four-tier security cordon always thrown around the Union Home Minister, who is accorded Z plus security, and mingle with the political leaders at Fadnavis’ official residence ‘Sagar’.

A person familiar with the development said, “The Union Government views this security lapse very seriously and it can only be explained as an example of complacency by the Mumbai police that is entrusted with the screening of visitors to the Dy CM’s residence. Coming in the wake of recent intelligence about a lone-wolf attack expected during the Ganesh Chhaturti festival in Mumbai, and the arrest of a ISIS operative--who had been planning to launch an attack on India’s top two political leaders--by Russian intelligence agencies makes this incident all the more serious.”Shah was on a two-day visit to Mumbai when an unknown person breached the security and reached him. According to the police, the person was hanging around Amit Shah and other political leaders at the official residence of Dy CM Fadnavis. Malabar Hill Police has arrested this man who claimed to be the PA of an Andhra Pradesh MP, according to a news report. Dhule had wanted to meet the ministers and take pictures with them. It is suspected that he was going to use these photos for publicity or profit, officials said. Dhule has been arrested and remanded till September 12. According to the police, Hemant Pawar was wearing a white shirt and a blue blazer. He also had access to an MPs’ PA pass, which he had attached to a ribbon, the Union Home Ministry said.