The special operations group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police, that hasn't been able to get hold of the MLAs supporting Sachin Pilot who are allegedly camping in Manesar, served notice to two resorts. In the notice served to ITC Grand Bharat and Best Western Country Inn where the MLAs are supposed to be holed up, the police demanded CCTV footage of the last fifteen days.
The SOG claimed to have credible inputs about the MLAs, including their key target suspended MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma, staying in Country Inn. The notice sought the booking records to verify if any room has been booked under Sharma's name, details of check in and check out, parking , ID proofs and payments.
According to sources, the resorts are not to eager to share the details as the notice is not binding court orders and they do not fall under jurisdiction of Rajasthan Police.
“We have ample evidence that they are residing in these two private resorts. Some of the MLAs need to be investigated as either accused or witnesses in horse-trading FIRs registered in Rajasthan. We have asked the hotel administrations to provide us all the necessary details”, said Ashok Rathore, ADG, SOG.
According to sources in Rajasthan Police, despite making over a dozen attempts to get to these MLAs in Haryana, the SOG is unable to do so because of the resistance from local police. The Rajasthan DGP has reportedly shot letters to Haryana Police top cops, seeking assistance, but failed to get any positive response.
Dramatic scenes were witnessed outside ITC Grand Bharat last week when a team of 50 cops from Haryana Police stopped the SOG from entering the resort. The arguments lasted for 90 minutes before the SOG was granted permission to go in.
The police team, which returned empty handed, alleged that they were stopped intentionally to help the MLAs escape. A surprise late night raid was eventually conducted on July 19 in Country Inn, but the police team was once again denied entry.
The Rajasthan Congress and state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accused Haryana Police of obstructing investigation at the behest of the BJP.