Z+ Security Cover provided at the Ambani family's own expense across India and abroad: Supreme Court

Billionaire Businessman and Industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family have been provided Z+ security cover by the Supreme Court which is not limited to Mumbai but is also made available across Indian and abroad. As per the order of the top Court, the cost of Z+ security is to be borne by the Ambanis, and the same was directed to the Union Home Ministry and the State of Maharashtra to ensure whether the security is provided to them or not. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Krishna Murari heard the matter and stated that “We are of the considered opinion that if there is a security threat, the security cover provided and that too at own expense of the respondents, cannot be restricted to a particular area of a place of stay. Looking into the business activities of the respondent nos. 2 to 6 within the country as also outside the country, the very purpose of providing security cover would stand frustrated, if the same is restricted to a particular place or area.” 

A miscellaneous application was filed by Bikash Saha against the interim orders of the Tripura High Court directing the Ministry of Home Affairs to produce files in context with the threat perception to Mukesh Ambani and his family. Earlier in June 2022, the orders passed by the HC were stayed by a vacation bench of the Supreme Court seeking the production of files. Further in July 2022, the Apex Court closed the petitions and directed the government to provide security to the Ambanis at their own expense. 

On February 27, 2023, while giving the order, the Supreme Court issued certain directions: 

• “Highest Z+ Security Cover provided to respondent nos. 2 to 6 shall be available all across India and the same is to be ensured by the State of Maharashtra and Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Highest Z+ Security Cover, as per the policy of Government of India, be also provided, while respondent nos. 2 to 6 are traveling abroad and the same shall be ensured by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The entire expenses and the cost of providing Highest level Z+ Security Cover to respondent nos. 2 to 6 within the territory of India or abroad shall be borne by them.”

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