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Even as the state receives flak for Mumbai's poor security, RTI reveals that 970 cops are deployed to protect filmstars, builders and politicians

serving the VIP: More than a quarter of Mumbai's 43,000 policemen are on protection duty on any given day. representation pic

Rs 32,77,890. This is the amount 22 people, including film stars, builders and some politicians, who have sought paid police protection owe the state government for the police security provided to them, an RTI has revealed.

RTI activist Chetan Kothari had to re-file the RTI, as he was not satisfied with its reply he received on October 31, 2007. It had only revealed that the Mumbai police provide protection to a total of 1,865 VVIPs, 116 businessmen (including builders), 14 filmstars and six individuals who are being protected due to court orders.

Mumbai police provides protection through its three protection branches and one special protection unit.

What a waste

When the same RTI was re-filed, the reply was rejected citing security issues. "After several rounds of hearing my appeal – the appellate authority finally ordered the police to answer my queries," Kothari said.

On December 4, he received the final reply for his RTI. In his reply, information officer and ACP (administration), protection branch, Arun Awate has said that the collector of Mumbai has on several occasions dispatched notices seeking to the protected individuals to clear all outstanding dues and the same is being followed up.

RTI final reply for 2007-08 said
80
Number of police officers (sub-inspectors) on protection duty

700
Number of police constables on protection duty

190
Number of armed policemen on protection duty

From 12,000 to 1,000!
On October 31, 2007, the first RTI reply stated that there were 2,353 officers and 9,730 constables on protection duty (a total of 12,083). They guarded 1,865 VVIPS, 14 filmstars, 6 on court orders and 116 others. This means 28% of 43,000 Mumbai cops are on protection duty.
Strangely, on December 4, 2008, the RTI states that in the year 2007-2008 there are 80 sub-inspectors, 700 constables and 190 armed personnel which totals up to 970. However, this time, they have withheld the number of people being protected.