New Delhi: The Central Government has accorded India’s richest man, Gautam Adani, the third-highest security band in the country.
Gautam Adani, who currently has a net worth of about $130.2 billion, has got the country’s third-highest Z category protection.
Sources in the Home Ministry said the government made the decision based on an evaluation of threat to Adani — sent by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), reports said.
The ‘Z category’ protective cover consists of a healthy crew, comprising at least 4 to 5 National Security Guard commandos and police personnel. It is India’s third highest degree of security, and is offered to people that are at high security risk. More than 30 armed personnel will be deployed for Adani’s security, reports said.
The 60-year-old billionaire, who is the founder and chairman of the Ahmedabad multinational conglomerate the Adani Group, will bear the expenses, according to sources.
Prior to this, Reliance Industries owner Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita were also given the ‘Z category’ security. According to reports, the industrialist and his wife also pay for their security to respective forces on a monthly basis.
Shares of Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) traded 0.24 per cent higher today as Sensex rose. Adani is one of the highest-spending industrialists, and, according to recent reports, AEL also plans to invest $5.2 billion in setting up an alumina refinery in Odisha.
Also read: The story of Gautam Adani’s rise — from kidnapping & 26/11 survivor to Mukesh Ambani rival