Supreme Court allows Central government to continue security cover for Mukesh Ambani, family members

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Central government to continue providing security cover to industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family members [Union of India v. Bikash Saha]..A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli stated that there was no reason for proceedings before the Tripura High Court, scrutinising the need for the security, to continue. "We see no reason for the proceedings in this case to continue before the Tripura High Court," said the Court..In June, a vacation bench of the top court had issued notice in a plea by the Central government against orders passed by the Tripura High Court seeking the original records of the threat perception to the Ambani family. The High Court had directed that the same be submitted in a sealed cover, and stated that no further adjournment would be granted in the case.This order was passed in a public interest litigation (PIL) moved against the grant of security to Ambani and his family members. It was submitted to the Court that the family was being provided security by the government based on an acute threat perception as found by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs..However, the Central government refused to submit the status report, arguing that the issue had already been decided by the Bombay High Court.The High Court Bench of Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice SG Chattopadhyay, however, insisted on the report being presented and posted the case for hearing on June 28..The Central government meanwhile approached the Supreme Court in appeal. In its plea before the apex court, the Centre argued that the PIL before the High Court was filed by an individual person who had no locus in the matter and was just a "meddlesome interloper".It was brought to the attention of the top court that a similar PIL with identical prayers was filed before the Bombay High Court, but was dismissed, and that order was confirmed by the Supreme Court.Additionally, it was informed that ‘Z+’ category security was given to Mukesh Ambani in 2013 and ‘Y+' category Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) cover was given to his wife Neeta Ambani in 2016 on the basis of inputs and assessment reports received from intelligence and investigation units.Further, it was contended that neither were the Ambanis residents of Tripura, nor did any cause of action in the matter arise in the State..[Read our coverage of today's hearing]