File photo of Bihar politician Pappu Yadav
Pappu Yadav, a controversial Bihar lawmaker whose acquittal in a high profile murder case has been challenged by the CBI in court, has been given upgraded security by the home ministry.
The Home Ministry has awarded "Y category" security to Mr Yadav citing threats from "political rivals, criminals and Maoists" in a written communication to the Bihar government.
The 48-year-old parliamentarian will now have 11 personnel protecting him.
Earlier this year, Mr Yadav was expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD, headed by Lalu Yadav. The five-time parliamentarian has formed his own party now, and sources suggest he will fight the upcoming assembly election in Bihar in alliance with former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and the BJP.
Mr Manjhi, who was thrown out of the state's ruling Janata Dal United in February, was also given a security upgrade by the Centre recently. He now has Z category security, which makes him one of the country's most protected politicians.
Rival parties have alleged that the move to promote these politicians to "VIP security" status is linked to the polls, in which the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Yadav combine is facing a challenge from the BJP.
Pappu Yadav, whose name is Rajesh Ranjan, was found guilty in 2008 of murdering a Left leader, but he was acquitted in 2013 by a higher court. The CBI has appealed this verdict in the Supreme Court.
Recently, Mr Yadav was in the new for allegedly misbehaving on a flight and threatening an air-hostess.