New Delhi: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani's security has been upgraded to the Z+ category following an intel report of a threat, said official sources as reported by the news agency PTI. The Union Home Ministry has decided to increase the security of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, who had earlier got Z category security. This decision was taken after the intelligence agency's report of the increasing threat to Mukesh Ambani. Now 55 security personnel will be deployed for his safety at all times including 10 NSG commandos.
His wife Nita Ambani too has a similar armed cover but a lower category of 'Y+' which entails a lesser number of commandos.
Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited, was earlier given the 'Z' category security. The home ministry had strengthened the security of the industrialists after a bomb blast outside their residence in Antilia last year.
In November 2020, the Supreme Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation seeking withdrawal of Z+ security cover given to Mukesh Ambani and his family while observing that it is for the State to assess and review the threat perception of individuals and take a call on such issues, as per the report.
Typically, there are six categories of security cover ranging from X, Y, Y-plus, Z, Z-plus to SPG (Special Protection Group).
This level of security requires 55 personnel to protect the individual. It is to be noted that NSG is used extensively to guard VIPs and VVIPs, especially those in the Z+ category. Many NSG personnel are seconded to SPG, which guards the Prime Minister.
While under the Z category, 22 personnel are allotted for security purposes, as per the Times of India report. Both Z+ and Z security covers also include an escort vehicle.
This year, under the Z+ security, there has been a new addition of 4 sparkling new Mercedes AMG G63 SUVs, as per Cartoq, and the combined value of security cars ads up to a total of Rs 10 crore.