NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has directed Z+ security for Mukesh Ambani and his family in India as well as abroad.
The present security cover at the family's expense cannot be limited to their state of residence (Maharashtra), according to a bench of Justices Krishna Murari and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.
"We believe that if there is a security threat, the security protection provided—and that too at the respondents' expense—cannot be limited to a certain location or place of habitation.
The fundamental purpose of providing security cover would be defeated if it were limited to a specific place or area, according to an examination of the respondent numbers 2 to 6 (Ambani and his family members commercial)'s activities both inside and outside the country, as explained to the Court.
The Ambani family must pay the costs of providing Mukesh Ambani, Neeta Ambani, Akash Ambani, Anant Ambani, and Isha Ambani with the highest degree of security cover, per the court's directive.
After Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Ambanis, claimed that they continued to run the risk of being targeted in an effort to financially destabilise the nation, the Court issued certain directives.
In July 2022, the Supreme Court gave the Central government permission to keep protecting industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family with security.
A vacation bench had blocked the Tripura High Court's orders to produce the original records of the perceived threat against the Ambani family in June of that year. The same was to be submitted under a sealed cover, per the High Court's directive.
A public interest litigation (PIL) brought against the granting of security to Ambani and his family members resulted in the passing of this order.
The family was said to be receiving security from the government due to an extreme threat perception discovered by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, according to a submission made to the court.
The Bombay High Court's ruling on the matter, according to the Central government, prevented it from being submitted.
Additionally, it was disclosed that Neeta Ambani acquired "Y+" category Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) cover in 2016 and Mukesh Ambani received "Z+" category security in 2013 based on inputs and assessment reports from intelligence and investigation units.
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