{
 "no": 86,
 "id": "case-86",
 "sk": 20030101,
 "year": 2003,
 "date": "2002 to 2003",
 "cat": "Public money",
 "sev": "amber",
 "title": "Taj Corridor. A riverbed project, and a governor who refused sanction",
 "stamp": "Sanction refused. Case never tried.",
 "human": {
  "v": "Construction on the Yamuna floodplain beside a World Heritage monument, without the clearances it required",
  "est": false
 },
 "cost": {
  "v": "About <b>₹175 crore</b> released for a project that was never lawfully cleared",
  "est": true
 },
 "what": "A project to build tourist facilities on the Yamuna riverbed beside the Taj Mahal proceeded in 2002-03 with money released and work begun before the environmental clearances it required were in place. The CBI investigated the then Chief Minister and a minister in her government.",
 "dodge": "In June 2007 the Governor refused sanction to prosecute, holding there was insufficient evidence. The case has never been tried on its merits. Two decades on it resurfaces periodically as a live file without ever reaching a court, which is its own form of answer.",
 "ministers": [
  {
   "n": "Mayawati",
   "r": "UP Chief Minister (BSP); prosecution sanction refused in 2007"
  },
  {
   "n": "Nasimuddin Siddiqui",
   "r": "UP minister named in the CBI case"
  }
 ],
 "pos": "Mayawati has consistently denied wrongdoing and points to the refusal of sanction and the absence of any charge as settling the matter.",
 "alleg": "The allegations were <em>never tested in court because sanction to prosecute was refused</em>. Nothing here should be read as a finding of guilt.",
 "alt": "A sanction decision made on published reasons and open to challenge, rather than one that quietly ends a case for twenty years.",
 "estimates": {
  "costInrCrore": 175
 },
 "sources": [
  {
   "label": "Tribune: Taj corridor case coverage (2003)",
   "url": "https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030912/main7.htm",
   "tier": 2
  },
  {
   "label": "Tribune: Taj corridor case coverage (2005)",
   "url": "https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051122/nation.htm",
   "tier": 2
  }
 ],
 "caseUrl": "https://whoisresponsible.xyz/case/case-86/"
}