The Supreme Court today stayed two orders dated May 31 and June 21 of the Tripura High Court in a PIL filed challenging the grant of security cover to industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his family members in Mumbai.

The vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice J B Pardiwala was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that individuals residing in Mumbai were granted security by the Center and that "Tripura has no concern with these individuals".

He told the Bench that the Petitioner before the High Court has limited his prayers in the PIL only against some select individuals.

The Bench then issued notice and stayed the two orders. The Bench was not inclined to accept the submission that the proceedings before the High Court should also be stayed. The Court indicated that once the orders are stayed, the High Court will not proceed.

The case was mentioned by the Solicitor General on Monday stating that the High Court has no jurisdiction to entertain the PIL as the state government has nothing to do with the security cover provided to the Ambanis by the Centre on the recommendation of the Maharashtra government.

Mehta had said that he wants the appeal to be heard urgently as the High Court has asked Home Ministry officials to appear before it on Tuesday with original records with regard to the threat perception to the Ambanis, and stated no more adjournment will be granted.

The Tripura High Court had on a PIL filed by one Bikash Saha had passed two interim orders on May 31 and June 21 and had directed the Central Government to place the original file maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding threat perception and assessment report of Ambani, his wife and children on the basis of which security has been granted to them.

Mukesh AmbaniTripura High Court

Verdictum News Desk