Synopsis
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the central government to continue with the security cover provided to industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family members in Mumbai. A bench comprising Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli allowed the appeal of the Central government challenging the Tripura High Court’s direction on a PIL.
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Centre to continue with the security cover for industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family members in Mumbai. The order by the Supreme Court bench — headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana — came in response to the Centre’s appeal challenging the Tripura High Court’s direction on a PIL.
The security cover is provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs based on the threat perception. Its level is decided by inputs received from intelligence agencies.
On June 29, a vacation bench had stayed the orders of the Tripura High Court on a PIL challenging the grant of security cover to the industrialist and his family members in Mumbai, reported news agency PTI.
Arguing on behalf of the Centre, solicitor general Tushar Mehta had said the petitioner in Tripura has nothing to do with the security of individuals provided in Mumbai.
The Tripura High Court on a PIL filed by one Bikash Saha passed two interim orders on May 31 and June 21 and directed the Central government to place the original file maintained by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) regarding threat perception and assessment report of Ambani, his wife and children based on which security has been granted to them.
Ambani, according to reports, has Z+ security – the highest category of security cover provided by the ministry of home affairs, based on the level of threat perception. His wife Nita Ambani has a paid Y+ security.
The government has informed that ‘Z ’ category security was given to Mukesh Ambani in 2013 and ‘Y ‘ category CRPF cover was given to Neeta Ambani in 2016
A bench comprising Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli allowed the appeal of the Central government challenging the Tripura High Court’s direction on a PIL.
The apex court had on 29 June stayed the orders of the Tripura High Court on a PIL challenging the grant of security cover to Ambani and his family.
Mehta had earlier said that the high court has no jurisdiction to entertain the PIL as the state government has nothing to do with the security cover provided to the Ambanis by the Centre on the recommendation of the Maharashtra government.
The Centre in its appeal has said that vide the said orders, the HC has also directed the central government to depute a responsible officer to appear before the court with the original record, in a sealed cover, on the next date of hearing on 28 June 2022, for consideration of the court.
FAQs on Mukesh Ambani Security
Mukesh Ambani is the Chairman & Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited. He is a Indian Businessman. Mukesh is a member of The Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum. He is an elected Foreign Member of the prestigious United States National Academy of Engineering. He is a member of the Global Advisory Council of Bank of America. He is also a member of International Advisory Council of The Brookings Institution. 2021RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani ranked among Top 5 World’s Most Famous, Most Reputable CEOs in the global Brand Guardianship Index 2021 by Brand Finance
The government has informed that ‘Z ’ category security was given to Mukesh Ambani in 2013 and ‘Y ‘ category CRPF cover was given to Neeta Ambani in 2016.
The richest Indian citizen Mukesh Ambani and his family members are protected by a Z+ security cover, which was upgraded from the Z category after a threat perception review by the Union Home Ministry in 2013.
Under the Z+ security, the country’s richest man gets round-the-clock protection as 50-55 armed commandos from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) guard him.
The Reliance Industries chairman enjoys the same exclusive Z+ category security rating as Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. National Security Guards are present 24/7 and his armoured vehicle fleet includes a Mercedes-AMG G63, Range Rover Vogue, Land Rover Discovery Sport and BMW X5.
The Indian government provides security details to high-ranking officials including judges, governors and politicians. These details are divided into four security categories that dictate the number of personnel, cars and weapons provided as protection. The highest category is Z+, which is only granted in rare circumstances, such as for the Indian prime minister himself. This category has only ever been granted to 17 people in India. Apart from a few politicians and government officials, those getting it — industrialists, film stars, builders — have to pay for the cost.
Ambani is considered a “national asset” in India. He was given the rare security category status after he apparently received a threat through an anonymous letter back in 2008. Government can decide to also prescribe this security status if they deem the person has a “high threat perception”.
The decision to provide Ambani with government security was met with much criticism. The Indian government was accused of being elitist and allowing people to “buy” protection. In court documents, the government defended the decision by referencing death threats Ambani has allegedly received. Ambani’s security is so tight that over and above the government-provided protection, he employs retired officials from the National Security Guard. In addition, all of his cars are armoured and bulletproof, and he doesn’t leave the house without a security convoy.
According to Union home ministry rules, the deployment of troopers for Ambani would also be on a cost-reimbursement basis. He would have to pay Rs 15-16 lakh a month and also provide barracks for the personnel. 90 per cent of the security staff currently protecting Ambani are retired officials of the National Security Guard. It will now be a two-tier security cover for Ambani, with his own security personnel and CRPF.
(With PTI inputs)
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