Mukesh Ambani gets 'Z' category security

NEW DELHI: Reliance Industries Limited ( RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani has been provided with a Z-level security cover from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) by the Union Home Ministry after a threat assessment by the Intelligence Bureau showed that Ambani faced a threat from certain terrorists groups.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde cleared the deployment earlier this week. Under the 'Z' category security, Mukesh Ambani will have a pilot car and follow-on vehicles with 28 commandos armed with sophisticated weapons.

Ambani's office had recently informed the Mumbai police about threat letters being issued to him purportedly by terrorist outfit Indian Mujahedeen following which the Mumbai Police took steps to increase the security of his 27-storeyed residential building 'Antilia' in south Mumbai's Altamount Road. The Mumbai Police was also mulling over a proposal to set up a police post at the house, but CRPF will now handle the security.

Ambani will be the first businessman to be guarded by the CRPF which gives VIP security to political protectees such as DMK leader MK Stalin, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav.

In February, a letter addressed to Ambani was hand-delivered to his residence by an unknown person and said that the Indian Mujahedeen would harm him. The letter, however, carried no logo or signature of the terrorist outfit.