Maximum security for Dhoni after extortion letter

Jharkhand has provided the highest "Z category" security cover to Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni following the receipt of a letter by his family that threatened that they would be harmed if the skipper fails to pay Rs.5 million to a gangster, police said on Wednesday.

"Dhoni has been provided Z category security," said police spokesperson S.N. Pradhan.

The cricketer, who earlier had "Y category" security cover - the second most stringent category - is now being guarded by 45 security personnel. He arrived here Tuesday.

According to police officials, Dhoni's family received the extortion letter Monday. The letter, allegedly sent by gangster Taslim, who claims to be a close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, stated that the Indian skipper's family will face dire consequences if he does not pay Rs.5 million.

The family handed over the letter to police here Tuesday night. Soon after, Dhoni's security was beefed up.

Police have also launched an investigation to trace the person who sent the letter.

When Dhoni was last in Ranchi, he was not happy with his constricting security cover and travelled from his home to the airport without any bodyguards.

However, with renewed concern about his security, Dhoni has applied for a prohibited bore (PB) arms licence. He has a non-PB licence already.

According to sources close to his family, Dhoni plans to buy a 9 mm pistol after obtaining the licence. The PB licence is issued only in special circumstances by the central home ministry.