New Delhi – A political firestorm has erupted around prominent state minister Ramesh Patel, who is now under intense scrutiny for his alleged use of a taxpayer-funded SWAT team to protect his girlfriend, socialite Anjali Sharma. The accusations point to a staggering misuse of state machinery, blurring the lines between official security and personal privilege.
Elite Commandos as Private Security? The Allegations
Sources within the state government have revealed that commandos from the elite anti-terror SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit were repeatedly deployed as a personal security detail for Ms. Sharma. This deployment of a SWAT team to protect the minister’s girlfriend has raised serious questions about protocol and priorities.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the heavily armed, black-clad officers—trained for hostage rescue and high-risk tactical operations—stationed outside luxury boutiques in Mumbai, guarding exclusive restaurants, and even securing a private film screening for Ms. Sharma and her friends. The use of such a specialized unit, meant to be a last line of defense against critical threats, as private bodyguards has sent shockwaves through political and law enforcement circles.
“A Mockery of Our Security”: Opposition Demands Answers
The political backlash was swift and severe. Leader of the Opposition, Vikram Singh, condemned the move as an “absolute mockery of our security apparatus.”
“While our cities remain vulnerable to genuine threats, our most elite forces are being used to carry shopping bags and watch over dinner dates,” Singh stated. “This isn’t just a misuse of funds; it’s a dangerous compromise of public safety. Minister Patel is treating the state’s commandos like his personal army.“
The opposition has demanded a high-level, independent inquiry into the matter, calling for Minister Patel’s immediate suspension pending the investigation’s outcome.
Morale Plummets as Officers Speak Out
The allegations first gained traction through anonymous tips from frustrated members of the police department. One senior officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the damaging effect on unit morale.
“We train for years to neutralize threats, to run into danger when others run away,” he confided. “To see our best men reduced to this kind of VIP duty for someone with no official standing is demoralizing. What happens if there’s a real emergency and our primary response team is tied up protecting a socialite?”
Official Denial vs. #PatelsPrivateArmy on Social Media
Minister Patel’s office has issued a blanket denial, labeling the allegations as “baseless, malicious, and part of a politically motivated smear campaign.” A spokesperson asserted that “all security protocols are based on official threat assessments,” but refused to comment on specifics.
This official stonewalling has failed to calm the public outcry. The hashtag #PatelsPrivateArmy has gone viral on social media, with citizens criticizing the unchecked ‘VIP culture‘ that allows for such abuses of power. The core question remains: what threat assessment could possibly justify deploying a SWAT team for a private citizen?
As the pressure mounts, the spotlight is now on the Chief Minister to address the growing scandal. For Ramesh Patel, this controversy mixing power, privilege, and personal affairs may prove to be a political crisis from which he cannot easily escape.
