Right by your side

The private security industry is buzzing with activity and heightened investor interest

Soumik Kar

So, you believe the police is in charge of law and order in India? Think again. For every cop, there are nearly six private security guards looking out for you as you work in your offices, shop in malls, eat in restaurants or simply stay at home. It is private security guards that ride with cash-filled vans to ATMs or to banks after collection from your neighbourhood mall. They guard jewellery stores, offices and vast manufacturing complexes such as Essar’s Oil refinery in Gujarat or the BPO operations of TCS in Bengaluru. During 26/11, private security guards even worked with the National Security Guard on save-and-rescue missions inside Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Hotel.