SC directs Centre to provide Z+ security for Mukesh Ambani, his family in India, abroad

The Supreme Court has ordered that industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his four immediate family members be provided Z+ security cover across the country and abroad.

The court also directed the Maharashtra government and Union Home Ministry to ensure that the same is done.

If there is a security threat, the existing security cover at the family's expense cannot be restricted to their state of residence (Maharashtra), a Bench comprising Justices Krishna Murari and Ahsanuddin Amanullah observed.

"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 or place of stay. Looking into the business activities of the respondent nos. 2 to 6 (Ambani and his family members) 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," the Bench said.

The court directed that the highest level of security be provided to Mukesh Ambani, Neeta Ambani, Akash Ambani and Isha Ambani. The court however noted that the expense shall be borne by the Ambani family.

Senior counsel, Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the Ambanis said that the family was at a continued risk of being targeted so as to financially destabilise the country.

Rohatgi urged the court to issue the following directions:

• Highest Z+ Security Cover provided to respondent nos. 2 5 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 Level 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 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.

In July 2022, the Supreme Court had allowed the Central government to continue providing security cover to industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family members.