Security rejig: Sachin gets X category, Y for Aditya Thackeray

The changes in security cover were made after a review was undertaken by a Maharashtra government committee on threat perception to them, sources said.
Security cover of more than 90 prominent citizens were reviewed by the committee at a recent meeting, an official told.

Mr Tendulkar, a Bharat Ratna awardee, till now enjoyed 'X' category security in which a policeman used to guard the 46-year-old cricketer round-the-clock.
Now, he will be given a police escort whenever he steps out of his home, the official said.

Legislator Aaditya was earlier having 'Y' security cover which has now been upgraded to 'Z' category, meaning more personnel will be guarding him now.
NCP President Sharad Pawar will continue to enjoy 'Z+' security, whereas his nephew and party leader Ajit Pawar retains Z category security cover, the official said.

Social activist Anna Hazare will now be protected under 'Y+' security cover in place of 'Z' category while former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naiks 'Z+' security has been downgraded to 'X'.

The security cover of two former BJP ministers, Eknath Khadse and Ram Shinde, has also been downgraded, he stated.

Also the security of well-known lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who represented the prosecution in several high-profile cases like the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, has been downgraded.