The Supreme
Court has directed to provide the highest level Z-plus security to
industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family members all across India
and abroad.
A bench of Justices Krishna Murari and Ahsanuddin
Amanullah said it was of considered opinion that if there is a security threat,
the security cover cannot be restricted to a particular area or place
of stay.
Highest Z+ Security Cover provided to respondent nos.
2 to 6 (Ambanis) 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
travelling abroad and the same shall be ensured by the Ministry of Home
Affairs, the bench said.
The top court said the entire expenses and cost of
providing Z+ security cover to Ambanis within the territory of India or abroad
shall be borne by them.
It said that looking into the business activities of
Ambanis 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.
We find that the security cover provided to the
respondent nos. 2 to 6 has been the subject matter of controversy at different
places and in different high courts, the bench said.
The top court's order came on an application filed by
petitioner Bikash Saha seeking clarification of its July 22, 2022 order by
which it had allowed the Centre to continue with the security cover for Ambani
and his family members in Mumbai.
It had allowed the appeal of the Central government
challenging the Tripura High Court's direction on a PIL.
The Tripura High Court had on a PIL filed by 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 regarding threat perception and assessment report of Ambani, his wife
and children based on which security has been granted to them.