Taj corridor probe: CBI quizzes Maya

CBI officials today questioned former UP Chief Minister Mayawati for nearly three hours at her Mall Avenue residence here and said there was...

CBI officials today questioned former UP Chief Minister Mayawati for nearly three hours at her Mall Avenue residence here and said there was enough evidence to show that she was aware of the controversial construction in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal.

While declining to disclose what she told the team — the CBI has to submit its report to Supreme Court by September 11 — officials said they had enough documents to prove that she was aware of the Taj Heritage Corridor project.

Sources said they quizzed Mayawati on the urgency in releasing money for the project. It was pointed out the majority of those questioned by CBI had said directives came from people at the top.

Sources said she was also asked why she gave the go-ahead in the absence of an agreement with National Projects Construction Corporation for the work.

The CBI landed at Mayawati’s house around 1.30 pm and began the questioning. Among the many documents in CBI possession is a letter from Lahiri Yadav, budget officer of Finance department, which reads: ‘‘I had been directed to convey that a sum of Rs 10 crore should immediately be released for the project while another Rs 7 crore should also be released by November 23, 2002.’’

CBI sources said government rules are such that any payment exceeding Rs 5 crore needs the CM’s clearance. ‘‘Either that clearance rule was flouted or the CM was in the know of things,’’ an official said.

The agency also has file on the corridor project. On page 107 is a noting of Principal Secretary P L Punia which says ‘‘CM avgat huin (CM has come to know).’’