Bihar Downgrades Security for Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi Amidst Tensions Over Official Residence

The Bihar government has revised VIP protection protocols, stripping the RJD patriarch and former CM of their top-tier cover while retaining security for other family members.

The political landscape in Bihar has grown increasingly fraught as the state government announced a significant reduction in the security cover for RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi. A notification issued this Thursday confirmed that both leaders have been stripped of their Z-plus security status, a move that follows a comprehensive state-wide review of VIP protection arrangements.

Shifting Security Protocols

Under the revised mandate, the Z-plus protection—which typically involves a dedicated, heavily armed team of elite personnel—has been withdrawn. Instead, the couple will now be guarded by the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP). Despite the downgrade, the government maintains that the security apparatus is not being dismantled entirely. The existing arrangement for the RJD leaders now includes a detail of two to eight BSAP house guards, two bodyguards from the Patna District Force, a pilot vehicle, and a bulletproof car.

The security review also reached beyond the senior leadership. Tej Pratap Yadav, the former minister and son of Lalu, has seen his Y-category security cover revoked. Conversely, the government has opted to maintain the status quo for other members of the RJD’s first family. Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, will continue to receive his Y-plus protection, while the existing security details for Misa Bharti and Rajshree Yadav remain unchanged.

A Backdrop of Political Friction

The timing of the security shuffle has invited intense scrutiny, as it coincides with a high-stakes standoff between the RJD leadership and the state government over official housing. Recently, the Bihar building construction department issued an order allotting 10, Circular Road—the bungalow Rabri Devi has occupied for over a decade—to the current Dairy and Fisheries Minister, Nand Kishor Ram.

Rabri Devi, appearing defiant, publicly challenged the administration to force an eviction. Speaking to reporters at the Patna airport after a trip to Delhi, she stated that she would not vacate the premises voluntarily, essentially daring Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to pursue physical removal. This public spat adds a layer of political complexity to the security downgrade, with observers noting that the government is tightening the screws on the RJD leadership on multiple fronts.

The Road Ahead

While the administrative changes take effect in Bihar, the RJD patriarch’s personal circumstances remain fluid. Reports indicate that Lalu Prasad has traveled to Singapore for ongoing medical treatment. As the legal and logistical battles over state resources intensify, the transition from Z-plus security signifies a notable cooling of the state’s relationship with its former power brokers. Whether this adjustment reflects a genuine reassessment of security threats or a broader strategic move remains a subject of intense debate in Patna’s political circles.