By India Blooms News Service Mar 01, 2023
New Delhi/UNI: The Supreme Court has directed that billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani and his entire family, should be provided with the highest Z+ security cover in India and abroad.
The apex court, in its order, said that the cost of security expenses for this exercise of providing Z+ security shall be borne by the Ambanis.
A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Krishna Murari and also comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah pronounced the order on Monday.
When Mukesh Ambani and his family are within India, State of Maharashtra and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are to ensure their security. When they are travelling abroad, the Ministry of Home Affairs would ensure the same, the Supreme Court, said, in its order.
The top court passed the order, after hearing an appeal filed by the central government against the petitioner Bikash Saha.
Initially, Saha had questioned in his petition filed before the Tripura High Court over the security being provided to the Ambanis family.
Acting on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Saha, the Tripura High Court through its order of May 31 and June 21 had directed the MHA to produce the original file pertaining to the threat perception and assessment report of Mukesh Ambani and his family.
Later on, the Centre had filed an appeal, after June 21, before the Supreme Court challenging this Tripura High Courts order, which had entertained the PIL of Shah, against the security cover given to Reliance Industries Chairman, Mukesh Ambani and his family.
The apex court had also last year agreed to examine the issue and stayed the Tripura HC order.
Senior Advocate, and former Attorney General of India (AG) Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the Ambanis, submitted before the Supreme Court that his clients are at continuous risk of being targeted to financially destabilize the country and such risk exists in India and also when they are travelling abroad.
The Supreme Court also settled the disputes about the security of Amabanis, as it observed that the issue of security cover provided to the Ambanis is the subject matter of litigation in different parts of the country.