Central Bureau of Investigation on Sunday evening questioned Uttar Pradesh Environment Minister Naseemudin Siddiqui in connection with the Taj corridor scam, CBI sources said on Monday.
Siddiqui dealt with files concerning the controversial project, which has put Chief Minister Mayawati under intense scrutiny. He was questioned for about two hours at an undisclosed location in Lucknow, they said.
Siddiqui is a close confidant of the chief minister. This is for the first time that the CBI has questioned any political person in connection with the Rs 175 crore (Rs 1.75 billion) scam.
The CBI has already grilled the then environment secretary R K Sharma, Chief Secretary D S Bagga and principal secretary (finance) Naveen Chandra Bajpayi.