New Delhi: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was on September 1 questioned in Lucknow by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the controversial multi-crore Taj heritage corridor project.

Mayawati was questioned about the allegations that the work for the controversial project was started at the site only after her office gave the go-ahead for the project.

According to CBI, the project was started with undue haste by the Mayawati government and the work at the site began on the basis of "oral orders" issued by the then state Environment Secretary R K Sharma. Her questioning followed after the CBI recorded the statement of her personal secretary P L Punia.

A Lucknow report quoting sources said the five-member CBI team led by DIG Neeraj Nayan questioned Mayawati for over two hours at her 13, Mall Avenue residence.

A senior official said Mayawati's statement was recorded in connection with the Rs 175 crore project in which Rs 17 crore had already been released.

Mayawati had earlier claimed that she was not aware of the project and was kept in the dark by state government officials.

The CBI sources refused to elaborate as to what exactly Mayawati had said but claimed she had "spilled the beans".

Interrogation of the former Chief Minister was on the cards after Supreme Court, under whose order the CBI had initiated the probe, had ordered the investigating agency to quiz the "high and mighty" and file the report by September 11.

Sources said CBI also questioned Mayawati regarding her financial assets and inquired as from where she got the money to celebrate her 47th birthday in January this year.

CBI had questioned her principal secretary P L Punia and principal secretary, irrigation, SK Agarwal a few days ago.

It said CBI would complete its interrogation within the stipulated time.

PTI