Govt upgrades Mukesh Ambani’s security cover to Z plus
The Union home ministry has upgraded the security cover of industrialist Mukesh Ambani to the highest category of ‘Z plus’ from ‘Z’, based on review of his threat perception by the Central intelligence agencies. The revised categorisation shall entail additions like an extra escort and more security personnel in his security detail.
The 65-year-old Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, was accorded ‘Z’ category cover of CRPF commandos in 2013 on a payment basis. His wife Nita Ambani too is a ‘Y+’ protectee.
CRPF is said to have received the communication regarding Ambani’s security upgrade and will move right away to make the necessary additions to his security detail.
CRPF’s security wing, which has six battalions with approval for a seventh battalion, currently protects 119 VIPs and dignitaries, of which 18 are in the Z plus category and 27 in the Z category, according to CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh.
A total of 40-50 commandos could be part of the security unit that will work in shifts to provide Z-plus security cover to Ambani, as per a PTI report.
CRPF, at present, provides an armed escort to Ambani when he is mobile and also secures his residential and office premises.
Ambani’s security was last beefed up after the recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near his house in Mumbai early last year following which the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took up the probe into the case.
