SC questions Z security for Mukesh Ambani

The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the government's decision to provide 'Z' category security to Mukesh Ambani when the common man was not safe.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the government's decision to provide 'Z' category security to Mukesh Ambani when the common man was not safe.

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Referring to India's richest man without naming him, a bench headed by justice GS Singhvi said, "We read in newspapers that the ministry of home has directed providing CISF security to an individual. Why is the state providing security to such a person?"

"If there is threat perception, he must engage private security personnel. Private businessmen getting security is prevalent in Punjab but that culture has now gone to Mumbai," the court added.

The court touched on how unsafe the common man was, citing recent incidents such as the rape of a five-year-old girl in Delhi, and said such incidents would not happen if there was proper security in the Capital.

The government counsel responded by saying that unlike policemen, private security personnel were not allowed to carry arms.

To this, the bench said, "We are not concerned about the security of X, Y, Z persons but about the security of the common man.

"It asked the government to disclose details of tainted MPs who enjoy protection despite facing no threat perception as well as of private persons. The court would take up the matter on July 9.

Reliance Industries Ltd chairman Ambani recently joined entered the 'Z' security club with the ministry approving an armed commando squad for him for which he will foot the bill, estimated at Rs. 15-16 lakh a month.