PTI | May 1, 2013, 07.41 PM IST
NEW DELHI: Centre's decision to provide 'Z' category security to the richest Indian Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday drew flak from the Supreme Court which asked why such people are given security cover by the government when the common man is feeling unsafe.
The apex court ticked off the government for giving protection to such people when the common man in the country is unsafe because of lack of security and said that a five-year-old girl would not have been raped if there was proper security in the capital.
The bench reasoned that the rich can afford to hire private security personnel.
"We read in newspapers that ministry of home has directed providing for CISF security to an individual. Why is state providing security to such person?" a bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi said without taking the name of Ambani.
"If there is threat perception then he must engage private security personnel," the bench said adding, "Private businessmen getting security is prevalent in Punjab but that culture has gone to Mumbai."
The bench, however, said that "We are not concerned about the security of X,Y,Z persons but about the security of common man".
The bench was hearing a petition filed by a Uttar Pradesh resident on misuse security cover and red beacon provided by the government to people.
Government's decision to provide Z category security for Ambani had evoked sharp criticism from Left parties following which it was clarified that he will foot the expenses for this estimated to be Rs 15-16 lakh per month.
The business tycoon is the new entrant to the 'Z' category VIP security club after the Union home ministry had recently approved an armed commando squad following threat perceptions.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-questions-Centre-over-providing-security-to-Mukesh-Ambani/articleshow/19821236.cms
Z security for Mukesh Ambani gets twitterati's goat
INDIA TODAY ONLINE | New Delhi, April 22, 2013 | 15:34
RIL Chairman Mukesh AmbaniOn Monday, twitterati had a field day making fun of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani over the Z category security being given to him by the government.
Initially it was believed that the government would pay for Ambani's security. However, following Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's clarification that Ambani himself would pay for it, things seemed to simmer down for Ambani.
Some of the tweets that were doing the rounds:
Bankim Mistry tweeted, "For #MukeshAmbani security even CP would himself stand & guard at his gate.... against pay, of course..."
Sriram Ramakrishnan tweeted, "Wonder why Mukesh Ambani needs CRPF security when he can afford to buy the best private security?"
In a more tongue-in-cheek tweet, Marri Narayana Reddy wrote, "#Mukesh Ambani# 2014 Congress manifesto - 'Provide Z secutity to rich persons"
Bringing to light the plight of the common man and the recent spate of crimes against women, Shailesh C tweetd, "Mukesh Ambani get Z security, can we have (A) security for Indian citizens."
Snehrag tweeted, "Mukesh Ambani wants Z security.. All we have is Zzzzzz... security."
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/z-security-for-mukesh-ambani-twitter-crpf-security-sushilkumar-shinde/1/267062.html