BJP MP Harbhajan Singh’s security cover was allegedly upgraded from Y-category to Z-category and later withdrawn completely within a day after he switched political parties, sources in the Punjab Police said amid ongoing proceedings in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.The development comes a day after the high court questioned the deployment of 23 Punjab Police personnel in the former India cricketer’s security detail and sought clarity on whether additional cops had been unofficially assigned to him.According to sources, Harbhajan was initially entitled to Y-category security comprising eight personnel, including two Punjab Police commandos. However, the cover was later upgraded to Z-category, involving nearly 22 personnel, including four to six commandos.The extra security arrangements were allegedly made at the directions of senior politicians, while some personnel were reportedly assigned at the discretion of a local official.The court on Wednesday reportedly raised concerns over whether the Rajya Sabha MP had been unofficially provided around 15 additional police personnel beyond sanctioned strength.Department sources stated that there was no written communication or fresh threat assessment report authorising enhancement of Harbhajan’s security cover beyond the approved category.Security withdrawn after BJP entryHarbhajan Singh had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs on April 24. According to sources, his Punjab Police security cover was withdrawn the following day.The cricketer later moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court on April 30, alleging that the withdrawal of his security in Punjab and Delhi was arbitrary, vindictive and carried out without any fresh threat assessment or prior notice.In his petition, Harbhajan also alleged that protesters gathered outside his residence after AAP workers were allegedly allowed to demonstrate there. He claimed slogans branding him a “traitor” were raised and that attempts were made to damage the front gate of his house.Central forces deployedFollowing the withdrawal of Punjab Police protection in April 2026, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly deployed personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force outside Harbhajan’s residence.A senior police official said strict instructions have been in place since the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022 to avoid publicly disclosing security-related details of protected individuals.Harbhajan Singh is currently understood to be under central paramilitary protection.