The President's Mercedes limousine displays the state emblem in place of license plates.
Highlights
- Home Ministry refuses to disclose details about cars used by President
- Revealing such details may pose danger to President's life: Home Ministry
- Chief Information Commissioner dismisses RTI petition seeking information
The Home Ministry has refused to disclose the make, model and registration numbers of cars used by the President which display the state emblem in place of license plates, saying it concerns national security and revealing such details might pose a threat to the First Citizen of the country.
The information refused by the ministry was sought by a Right to Information or RTI application filed by Rakesh Aggarwal.
One
post on YouTube claims that the President uses "a black Mercedes Benz S600 (W221) Pullman Guard. It is a custom-built, heavily armored limousine which meets the requirements of the highest protection class VR6/VR7... the armor is designed to protect against military rifle shots and also offers resistance against fragments from hand grenades and explosives. The president's motorcade also consists of the former presidential car, a black Mercedes-Benz W140 armoured limousine, which is now being used as a spare vehicle," it claims.
Mr Aggarwal has asked for details about the cars used by the Vice President and governors of different states as well.
The Home Ministry has said sharing the information could endanger the security of the State and the life of the President. Agreeing with the contention of the Ministry, Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur dismissed the petition.