SPG chief Arun Kumar Sinha responsible for PM’s security dies at 61

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• Sep 6, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Arun Kumar Sinha, the Director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), passed away early Wednesday morning at...

Digital Desk: Arun Kumar Sinha, the Director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), passed away early Wednesday morning at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. He was 61 years old. Sinha had been battling health issues for the past few months and was undergoing treatment at the Medanta Cancer Institute.

A senior government official confirmed the sad news, stating that Sinha's family members were present at the hospital during his final moments. The news of his passing has also been informed to other senior government officials and his batchmates.

Sinha, an officer of the 1987 batch from the Kerala cadre of the Indian Police Service (IPS), had a distinguished career in law enforcement. He served as the Additional Director General of Police for Special Service and Traffic in the state of Kerala before receiving a special assignment from the Central Government in 2016. At that time, he was appointed to lead the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the security of the Prime Minister of India. His appointment came after a gap of approximately 15 months when the SPG had no full-time chief.

His tenure at the helm of the SPG was marked by a deep commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the country's top leadership. A day before his scheduled retirement on May 30, 2023, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a proposal for Sinha's re-employment for an additional year. This decision reflected the government's trust in his leadership and expertise. In 2022, the ACC had previously extended his temporary upgradation as the Director General (DG) of the SPG until May 31, 2023.

Arun Kumar Sinha's illustrious career also included service with the Border Security Force (BSF). However, he spent a significant portion of his career in his home state of Kerala, where he held various key positions, including the protection of women and management of non-resident Indian affairs.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) is an elite force established in 1985, created to provide security for the Prime Minister of India, former Prime Ministers, and their immediate families. It is comprised of highly trained personnel and has a strength of approximately 3,000 members. The formation of the SPG was prompted by the tragic assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, underscoring the critical need for enhanced protection of the country's top leadership.

Arun Kumar Sinha's passing is a significant loss to the Indian security apparatus, and he will be remembered for his dedicated service and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation's leadership. His contributions to the field of security will leave a lasting legacy in the annals of Indian law enforcement.