Three presidential suites 'sanitised' for Obama stay

Not an inch of hotel space likely to be used by Barack Obama and his wife Michelle has been left unsanitised, to use security parlance, as three presidential suites at ITC Maurya have been given a thorough combing by both Indian and American security men ahead of the presidential visit over the weekend.

There are three presidential suites - Chandragupta, Ashoka and the Empress - that are being kept in readiness and the one that the presidential couple will use is being kept a top secret.

As part of the security drill for the VVIP guest, the paintings, curtains, lamps, chandeliers, rugs, beds, sofas, flower pots have been checked and double checked by Delhi Police and US Secret Service agents before being replaced in their original positions.

Even the door handles and locks were double checked to ensure the US president has total security and secrecy during his stay.

The US Secret Service and Delhi Police have gone through the entire expanse of the presidential suites with electronic bug detectors. The electric wiring and the air conditioning ducts have been thoroughly sanitized to ensure there are no secret listening devices or tiny cameras hidden anywhere.

Delhi Police is installing its own cameras in the suites, barring the private spaces. These camera inputs will be continuously monitored by the US Secret Service agents, who will comprise the innermost layer of security for the president.

The entire lobby, stairs and lifts leading to the presidential suites have also been thoroughly sanitized.