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ITBP guesthouse was all set to receive Rao

Swapna Khanna in New Delhi

The tension eased visibly as the 50 Delhi police personnel deputed outside the Indo-Tibetan Border Police guesthouse received the message that former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao had been granted bail till November 8.

The ITBP guesthouse in Tigri area of Sangam Vihar, south Delhi, was to have been converted into a prison if the special court conducting the trial in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha bribery case had not granted bail to Narasimha Rao and his former Cabinet colleague Buta Singh till November 9.

Housing arrangements had also been made for the Special Protection Group personnel who are responsible for Narasimha Rao's security.

Some 100 SPG personnel had sanitized the guesthouse, which is approximately 6km from the main entrance. They along with ITBP personnel and sniffer dogs were still doing their rounds when the report came in.

The ITBP personnel were tightlipped. All they said was, "We are not aware of anything and have no clue that Mr Rao will be brought here."

J K Sharma, a constable on duty, said, "Special patrolling has been ordered in the area since Monday afternoon."

Police sources said, "The south Delhi district police had taken all steps to beef up the peripheral security around the guesthouse. Our role is purely peripheral. The rest is taken care of by the ITBP."

Though the high-security Tihar Jail had also made preparations to receive the former prime minister, it was decided that he would be lodged in the guesthouse owing to the security risks he faces.

"Mr Rao is entitled to SPG security. That is why it is not possible to send him to Tihar," said a senior Delhi police officer. The main reason is the conflict between the jail manual and the SPG guidelines.

According to the jail manual, no one can accompany the culprit to jail. And the SPG guidelines say anyone entitled for SPG protection can never be left alone. Keeping this in mind, the police authorities and the SPG personnel decided on this special arrangement.

Sources said, "After a lot of discussions it was decided that if Mr Rao has to be sent to jail, the ITBP guesthouse would be converted into one."

"This place was selected because the guesthouse is away from the main crowd, it is a secured place and no outsider can have access to it without permission. The other reason is that on its periphery are the Indian Air Force and Border Security Force guesthouses, which reduces the threat perception."

But it looks like the policemen can relax for some more time now.

The JMM bribery case: The full coverage

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