New Delhi: Secretary in Union Environment and Forest Ministry, K C Mishra, has been accused by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of tampering with files pertaining to start of work at the controversial Taj heritage corridor project at Agra.

According to CBI, which is carrying out a thorough investigation on the direction of the Supreme Court into the alleged irregularities and malpractices in the construction of the Rs 175 crore project, Mishra made "interpolations and tampered with the file in order to cover up his omissions".

The investigating agency has accused the senior official of tampering with the files to cover up his lapses in failing to approve the "proposal of the joint secretary and special secretary" to ask Uttar Pradesh government to proceed with the work of the project only after getting statutory clearances and approvals.

Efforts to get Mishra's comment on the CBI allegation did not succeed as he refused to take calls.

Though during questioning by CBI, he is reported to have denied having tampered with files but the agency has still stated in its report that he did "interpolations" of files.

On the directive of the Supreme Court, the "interpolated and tampered" files were being sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for verification by a handwriting expert of the notes made on the files.

Meanwhile, CBI is now planning to question former Chief Minister Mayawati, as it found that the work was started at the site only after her office gave the go ahead for the project.

PTI