In a move which could trigger controversy, the Union Home Ministry has provided ‘Z’ category VIP security to Mukesh Ambani, the world’s richest Indian on Forbes’ list. A “threat to his life from the terrorist organisation Indian Mujahideen” is attributed to be the reason behind the provision of the elite security cover to Mukesh, whose estimated fortune is worth of $21.5 billion.
As many as 28 CRPF personnel from a battalion in Uttar Pradesh trained for anti-Naxal operations have been asked to take charge of his round-the-clock security. Home Ministry officials said this could be the first time a private person has been accorded security similar to Government functionaries.
This is also the first time CRPF has been deployed for a private person's security. The move is sure to raise eyebrows as it comes when the Supreme Court is going tough on meaningless and expensive VIP security. The decision was taken by authorities with the approval of Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, after the Ministry conducted a security analysis.
last month, Ambani's office had approached Mumbai Police as well as the Centre citing a threat to him from Indian Mujahideen (IM), sources said. Ambani's office had produced a threat letter from the banned organisation.
Under the 'Z' category security, Ambani will have pilot and follow-on vehicles with commandos armed with sophisticated weapons and they will give him proximate security every time he moves in Mumbai or any other part of country.
Mumbai Police is also planning to fortify Ambani's 27-storied palatial residence 'Antilia' in south Mumbai's Altamount Road. Following the threat letter received by Ambani's office, security in and around Antilia has been tightened.